This week, millions of believers observe historical events that have dramatically impacted their lives - the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The events that took place during the brief 33 years of Jesus' life on earth fulfill over 300 written prophecies in the Bible that anticipated the Messiah. They fit this unique TEST OF PROPHECY. Jesus lived a life that fully satisfied the objective moral base codified in the law of Moses. His life fits the unique TEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. He purposefully went to Jerusalem on the Feast of the Passover to lay down His impeccable life as a substitutionary sacrifice, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29). Having paid our debt to the law of God, detailed in the Torah, He is released from the prison of death, fulfilling the JUSTICE REQUIREMENT, on behalf of guilty sinners. He offers to restore mankind to a vital union with God.

Those who put their trust in Him, claim an experience of God's immediate presence; a radical transformation from the inside out. Sinners become penitent. An enemy of the gospel such as Saul of Tarsus, becomes a committed follower of Christ. Atheists become theists. Those who were morally indifferent, suddenly find themselves with a liberated and sensitized conscience. His followers boldly face death rather than deny the reality of their life-changing encounter with the Person of Christ. Society is mercifully 'salted' with a new kind of people, regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome evil with good.

In the first century, Cyprian wrote to his friend, Donatus regarding his discovery of Christians. "They have discovered a joy which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of this sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are the Christians...and I am one of them."

Jesus stands in the Judgment Hall today as He did nearly two thousand years ago. He is on trial. He, by His own choice, has been delivered up into the hands of human beings. What will you do with Jesus, who is called the Christ (Matthew 27:22)? We either speak up for Him or share in Peter's denial (John 18).

French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal spoke of a "God-shaped void" in the hearts of men. May the message of Easter put the missing 'peace' back in the puzzle of life.

In appreciation of the Creator,