1 Peter 3

God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. 1 Peter 1:3 CEV

This was the memory verse for Toon Town this week for Resurrection Sunday. It was a delight to teach it to 5 crowds of kids this weekend (with my own 5:00 Saturday service jumping from an average of 110 to 166 this week). But rather than going through a gospel account of the first Easter so many Passovers ago, I was drawn here. Where Peter talks about what that day really means to us.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him...

In our discussion groups, we talked about if they really believed the story about Jesus even though it was long ago. In any group of adults, you would expect some skeptics, but it was amazing to see their faith. Yes, they believe. Why? Because it's in the Bible. Even when I questioned them further with, what if the Bible's not true? They quickly responded, God doesn't lie. It's His book. He told the people what to write. Impenetrable faith from kids who have never seen Him.

Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

The story of Jesus is what leads us to believe. It's just not possible for me to consider any other motive for what Jesus did. And there's just no room for me to misunderstand the magnitude of God's love for me.

Lord, help me to live a holy life, just as you are holy. Help me love others deeply from the heart. Help me live my life as a stranger here.