[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Subheading – A Most Unusual Easter” _builder_version=”3.12″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.12″ src=”https:\/\/www.ttc.edu.sg\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Easter.png” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.12″]<\/p>\n
A most unusual Easter, this is.
\nDisconcertingly quiet is all there is.<\/p>\n
No sunrise services, no painted eggs.
\nNo jubilant greetings, just a nod of our heads.<\/p>\n
Confined to our homes or hotels instead.
\nThe awful Covid-19 that we all hate.<\/p>\n
Can we still proclaim the victory of life Easter over
\nwhen death looks certain both young and old, weak and strong to devour?<\/p>\n
An unmistakable \u201cYes\u201d I dare say,
\nEvinced by what took place that first Easter day!<\/p>\n
\u2018I am the resurrection and the life,\u2019 our Lord declared
\n\u2018Whoever believes in me, though he dies,
\n–\u00a0 yet shall he live,
\nAnd everyone who lives and believes in me
\n– shall never die.\u2019<\/p>\n
But disease and death must ravage the earth,
\nAs they did Lazarus, now this globe unnerve.<\/p>\n
For all of us through sin our souls did die,
\nEven now in our bodies our deaths we cannot deny.<\/p>\n
But Jesus did come his life to lay,
\nOnce and for all, to gather his sheep that stray.<\/p>\n
For Jesus said \u2018a grain of seed must die\u2019
\nBut when it does, it multiply.<\/p>\n
So with his own life the price he paid
\nThat the many are bought and with the Father he laid<\/p>\n
But first, his death he may not dismiss
\nAlthough in the dreary darkness, we thought something\u2019s amiss.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s redemption; yes, every one of us who\u2019s lost,
\nCan only be properly accomplished through that old rugged cross.<\/p>\n
The suffering and the cross cannot be passed
\nBut death, that word, is not the last<\/p>\n
Our Lord, the Author of Life, death has no hold
\nHis life, the Great Shepherd lays down, his authority unfold<\/p>\n
He rises again, death has to bow
\nNew life he offers to everyone now.<\/p>\n
\u2018Repent and believe in the gospel!\u2019 St Mark did say,
\nSo to you, I urge, do not delay.<\/p>\n
\u2018You must be born again!\u2019 To Nicodemus Jesus declared.
\n\u2018Born of the water and the Spirit,\u2019 all must be had.<\/p>\n
Disease and darkness, the gloom of Covid-19 may tarry,
\nBut victory the resurrected Jesus did win already.<\/p>\n
Though kept at home, and no church to go,
\nOur Living Lord every heart and home may know.<\/p>\n
Rev Dr Jimmy Tan, Chaplain, [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nLecturer in Pastoral and Practical Theology<\/strong><\/p>\n