Resurrection Sunday is almost here! Our church will celebrate by remembering the resurrection of Christ…but this day has come to mean different things for people around the world. This is true for the people in Cebu. Here, the celebration begins earlier in the week. Like other peoples of the world, they begin celebrating on Good Friday to remember that Christ died. But something a bit more unique to the Philippines, is their Black Saturday. It is a day of death and many superstitions. For them Christ is dead so they keep their children home, afraid that if they are hurt there is no God to heal their wounds. Our bustling metropolis becomes quiet and almost completely shuts down. Throughout the week, men beat themselves and are crucified to remember Christ’s death. That really is the emphasis of their celebration, death. But as we look at the Bible we see that God emphasized something even more important….Christ’s resurrection. If Christ had died as other men and remained in the tomb, there would be no power in the cross. We would have no promise of heaven, no hope beyond the grave. But because Christ rose, he proved that he truly was the Son of God! He was more than a mere man, he was God. That is what makes him so different from any other man or religion. Our God is alive today, waiting patiently for men to realize this truth. Salvation is offered freely to all who would believe and repent of their sins! We pray you all have a wonderful day as you celebrate the resurrection of our Savior!
I Corinthians 15:17 “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
