April 2025

Dear Friends,

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The three days. Matthew 12:38-40 This is our cause for celebration. As Christians worldwide gather for worship during the time of Holy Week and Easter, we are drawn to the singular act in human history: the death and Resurrection of Jesus the Christ. This is the sign that Jesus speaks of when addressing the representatives of the scribes and of the Pharisees. Although Jesus had already performed many signs and wonders, the scribes and Pharisees demanded more. Jesus tells them that the greatest sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40 Jesus says this, because there is no greater sign that demonstrates both the power of God over the forces of darkness and the relentless love of God that would send His Son to the Cross. The events on those three days would forever change the course of human history. To say that this sign of Jonah was an earth-shattering event is no exaggeration. The Gospel of Matthew records that the earth literally shook when Jesus died on the Cross, and also when He rose from the dead. It is the sign of Jonah that sends forth the glorious message “Your sins are forgiven! The devil is defeated! Death is swallowed up in victory!” In the celebration of the three days, we do not celebrate a mere historical event. The tremors of the Christ event still resonate in a deeply personal manner in us even today. The Apostle Paul says “For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:9-15 Jesus was crucified for you. Jesus died for you. Jesus rose for you. Because He lives, you too shall live. Praise be to God! God bless you during your celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Christ is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Chuck Bylkas