April, 8. Early morning. The heart rejoices - Christ Is Risen!

OMSK (RUSSIA) – Crossing the threshold of the house of God, you smile and greet brothers and sister, gladly responding with "Indeed risen!" Today is a special day, one of the most important Christian holidays - Easter!  
"Christ is risen!" - the words are a foundation of the Christian faith: Jesus was crucified for the sins of the mankind, He died and has risen on the third day. He defeated death and has become a redemptive Lamb, who reconciled God and man. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is an evidence of God's boundless love, and His resurrection is the hope for every human being.

"Christ is risen!" - the church exclaims unceasingly, rejoicing that the Savior is alive, and He is to come! The worship team together with the teenage band praises God, singing the hymns of praise.

Then the children come out to the platform. They wear theatrical costumes and carry stage props. It is evident they've prepared a performance. God has given them gifts and talents, and even at this young age they are able to praise God. In the performance the children get across an important message: people are mortal, and only with Jesus they have eternal life.

After the performance the children recite touching poems, the teenage group performs a beautiful dance. The air is filled with love to God and worshiping Jesus.

Finally it is time for the Word of God. Bishop of Omsk eparchy, senior pastor of "Harvest" church Sergei Gorbenko, preaches about the "True meaning of Easter". Sergei Vladimirovich reminded the first Easter, described in the book of Exodus. "Now we don't need to strike the lintels with blood, - emphasized the pastor, - because we're anointed spiritually with the blood of Jesus Christ!"

The same way sin and death came to the world through Adam, through Jesus came redemption, forgiveness and resurrection. The Golden verse of the Bible - John 3:16 - is expressing the core of God's love very accurately.
Our Easter is Christ the risen. And no religious traditions, no attributes of so called "Easter" will replace the true meaning of it - the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Son of God and God Himself, who redeemed the mankind of sin with His sacrifice.

The Easter is not limited by one day in a year. Jesus has risen forever, and every day we need to remember what price is paid for our freedom in Christ. So let us follow Christ, seek His face and praise Him for His sacrifice, salvation, hope, supernatural care and boundless love!

The Russian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith