Pastor Jim Beilstein's Ponderings

As I write this letter, “March Madness” is just beginning. This phrase is not describing those people in my former state of Missouri who are upset because winter is still hanging around. No, the phrase describes the NCAA Basketball Tournament which takes place during the month of March and this year even extends into April. So this year rather than calling the tournament “March Madness” I will call it “April Appreciation” because I know the University of Missouri’s basketball team will win the tournament in April.

But even if Missouri’s team does not win in April you and I are guaranteed to win. The Bible says in Revelations 2:10 that if we believe in Jesus we will receive the crown of life. This can be related to sport terminology since in past Olympics the winner received a wreath or crown as they were welcomed to the victors circle. However, athletic contests and the contest of life in which we are involved are different. In athletic contests, the result is based on the ability and the personal effort of the contestant but in the contest of life, which the Bible describes, the winner has already been crowned and the victor is Jesus Christ. In April we will share and celebrate the outcome of that victory as Easter, that Sunday morning when Jesus rose and overcame spiritual death, hell and the devil for us. You and I share the victor’s crown with Jesus not because of our ability or personal effort but because of our faith in Jesus Christ that is given to us through the Bible.

Join me on Easter Sunday, April 12 as we share and celebrate in the victory of Jesus and receive the crown of life.