By Pastor Regina Carr

From the Gospel Press

“Oh, it is Jesus! Yes, it is Jesus, in my soul. For I have touched the hem of His garment and His love has made me whole!” April’s lessons demonstrate how ‘Jesus pleases His Father,” by His sacrifice.

This month represents the most pivotal point in the Christian experience. Here we experience the submission of His will, being crucified, His resurrection and the proof of His resurrection. A sacrifice is an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure. This month we celebrate Christ’s sacrifice and His resurrection, for our salvation.

It is in the Garden of Gethsemane, we witness Jesus, “Submitting to the Father’s Will, Matt. 26:36-50. We learn that fervent prayer is a necessary part of Christlikeness. He prayed, because He knew it His time had come, to be Crucified for Sinners, Matt. 27:38-54. This lesson is to reaffirm the fact that Jesus’ death gave us life. On the third day, He is “Risen from the Dead, John 20:1-10, 19-20. His resurrection shows that He is the living Word and that we should follow Him unconditionally. Finally, He shows us, “Proof of the Resurrection, Luke 24:36-53. Jesus shows His disciples that He is alive and that God is a promise-keeper. Therefore, we can trust God and his promises.

This resurrection lets us know that
there is power in the blood, power in the blood of the Lamb.

From the Standard Commentary

He rose, he rose, he rose from the dead
He rose, he rose, he rose from the dead
He rose, he rose, he rose from the dead
And the Lord shall bear my spirit home! We are now, “Experiencing the Resurrection.

In the Bible, the word translated as “resurrection” comes from the Greek a·naʹsta·sis, which means “raising up” or “standing up again.” A person who is resurrected is raised up from death and restored to life as the person he was before.​—Because God raised Jesus from death, He will also raise Christians to eternal life, (John 11:25, Rom. 6:5). Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith (1 Cor. 15:21-21).

Early in the morning, the women came to the sepulchre, bringing spices and they found, “The Empty Tomb, Luke 24:1-12.” They were the first to witness the Lord had risen! That same day, two the disciples had an encounter with the Risen Savior and the “Disciples Believe the Resurrection, Luke 24:13-49.” Their eyes were opened and their conviction was fortified. Jesus appeared to the others, in the Upper Room and shewed Himself. That night, the Disciples went fishing and caught nothing. In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, offering them something to eat. “Jesus Cooks Breakfast, John 21:1-14.” He offered fish, although they were unsuccessful that night. He told them to cast their nets on the right side, and they caught a multitude of fish and the net did not break! The Lord provides instruction for us to prosper. We must be obedient to His instruction.

The final lesson is “Jesus Reinstates Peter, John 21:15-25. After they had dined, Jesus confronted Peter and said, “Loveth thou me more than these? Peter responded, “Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said, “Feed my Sheep!