by John Armstrong
Last month, I mentioned the old adage, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.”
That may trigger in your memory the corollary, “April showers bring May flowers.” Indeed, the
gentle spring rains that we enjoy do bring forth an abundance of flowers and the trees bursting
forth with their blossoms followed by beautiful greenery. It is the time of year when we enjoy
seeing the cold dead of winter give way to the vibrant life of spring. Last month, I made the
connection between Christ who is both the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was
slain that we see in Revelation 5. This month we begin with the celebration of the resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. There is no more important event in history than Jesus’
death and resurrection. The resurrection marks the victory of Jesus over death, Hell, and the
grave. It is serves as the ultimate validation of the Father on the ministry of the Son. In light of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we can understand what Paul is saying in
2Corinthians 1:20, For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through
him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
The death and resurrection of Jesus breaks the power of death and brings us life and freedom
to live that life. We were dead in trespasses and sins just like the land of Narnia under curse of
the White Witch when it was always winter, but never Christmas. The land lay dead under the
snow and ice. For those whose faith and trust are in Jesus, there comes a spiritual spring that
will never know the death of winter. That is exciting to know that we live in the time of eternal
life when we live in Christ. Jesus and the blessings that are ours as we are united to Him are
like the rains of spring bringing forth flowers and fruit, plenty and abundance. I encourage you
to join me this month in being an observer of the coming of spring. Come back for a moment to
that old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” Indeed, let us pray for the Lord to send the
showers of heaven to rain down upon us even as He says in Isaiah 45:8 “Shower, O heavens,
from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation
and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have
created it. O Lord, work these things in our hearts, bring forth the fruit of salvation and
righteousness in our hearts and in our church. You have called us to be your people and you
have begun a good work in us. Lord, bring your good work in us to completion for your glory.
Make that good work manifest in us, so that, we would bear forth a good witness to Jesus
Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
That may trigger in your memory the corollary, “April showers bring May flowers.” Indeed, the
gentle spring rains that we enjoy do bring forth an abundance of flowers and the trees bursting
forth with their blossoms followed by beautiful greenery. It is the time of year when we enjoy
seeing the cold dead of winter give way to the vibrant life of spring. Last month, I made the
connection between Christ who is both the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Lamb who was
slain that we see in Revelation 5. This month we begin with the celebration of the resurrection
of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. There is no more important event in history than Jesus’
death and resurrection. The resurrection marks the victory of Jesus over death, Hell, and the
grave. It is serves as the ultimate validation of the Father on the ministry of the Son. In light of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we can understand what Paul is saying in
2Corinthians 1:20, For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through
him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
The death and resurrection of Jesus breaks the power of death and brings us life and freedom
to live that life. We were dead in trespasses and sins just like the land of Narnia under curse of
the White Witch when it was always winter, but never Christmas. The land lay dead under the
snow and ice. For those whose faith and trust are in Jesus, there comes a spiritual spring that
will never know the death of winter. That is exciting to know that we live in the time of eternal
life when we live in Christ. Jesus and the blessings that are ours as we are united to Him are
like the rains of spring bringing forth flowers and fruit, plenty and abundance. I encourage you
to join me this month in being an observer of the coming of spring. Come back for a moment to
that old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” Indeed, let us pray for the Lord to send the
showers of heaven to rain down upon us even as He says in Isaiah 45:8 “Shower, O heavens,
from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation
and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have
created it. O Lord, work these things in our hearts, bring forth the fruit of salvation and
righteousness in our hearts and in our church. You have called us to be your people and you
have begun a good work in us. Lord, bring your good work in us to completion for your glory.
Make that good work manifest in us, so that, we would bear forth a good witness to Jesus
Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen.
