An Easter Message

“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.”

(rf. Mal. 4:2ESV)

            The above passage was given to God’s people in the closing message of the Old Testament. As the Lord revealed to them once again His desire to send His chosen vessel of “healing” and restoration, prefaced by the coming of “Elijah the prophet”(rf. Mal. 4:5), He wanted them to be prepared for what would be in His words, “the great and awesome day of the Lord” (rf. Mal. 4:5).

            As we consider the wonder of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection at Easter, let us measure it anew against the backdrop of these words from the prophet Malachi. So often we tend to look at the actions of Jesus on our behalf in a vacuum, as by themselves, and, thus, lose some of the power intended by the Lord to affect us in our hearts and minds. 

This prophet of the Old Testament was the last to speak to God’s people for several centuries. Therefore, when John the Baptizer arrived on the scene and began his ministry, it truly stirred the hearts of the people. They began to wonder if, indeed, this was the “Elijah the prophet” of Malachi’s writings. Then, when John pointed to Jesus’ coming as the fulfillment of his own ministry, the reality of those prophecies surely were coming to pass! Yet, the people had no idea what was in store for them as Jesus’ ministry among them unfolded.

Not until the climax of Jesus’ life and ministry arrived on the hill of Golgotha with his death on the cross and his burial following with his disciples disbursed in sorrow did it seem that all of His efforts had come to naught. With the dawn of the third day came the astounding news of His resurrection from the dead and of the stone of His tomb being rolled away by divine power. This truly was “the great and awesome day of the Lord” as foretold by Malachi!

We know, however, that this was not the end of the story. Jesus now sits at the right hand of His Father, God Almighty, in heaven, awaiting the time of His return. His power continues to be displayed through the Holy Spirit who He sent to earth to minister through His Church in His stead. He remains “the sun of righteousness…with healing in (His) wings”to those “who fear (My) name”. As His followers, we simply must trust, obey and continue to live out His truths, knowing that the spiritual, physical and emotional healing is still available to us because our beloved Savior and Lord is very much alive and will ever live! Happy Easter to one and all!