Lesson 171: Easter Message
Easter Message to the 5th KY May the peace and love of our Lord be with you this day my dear Orphan Brigade. On this Good Friday I am lead to write a special communiqué to my beloved flock. It is my hope that these words will be a blessing to you. Holy Scripture tells us that it was on this day so long ago that our merciful God offered up His only Son for the redemption of our sins. The man who had for three years had gone about preaching, teaching, healing and praying for the people in the Holy Land was put to death in the manner of a murderer or thief. It was on the cross that the innocent blood of Christ Jesus was shed for the remission of our sins. Those who had received Him as a king, only a week before, were then reviling Him with vile and profane words. They were crying out for His death. This man who had healed so many, raised people from the dead, walked on water and shown nothing but love and compassion for them was now the object of their scorn. The blood sacrifice was made, as required by their law. As He hung there on the “Old Rugged Cross”, He continued to ask His Father for forgiveness for these people. As His blood seeped out, His physical body dieing, He still loved them. When we read the history of our nation we are reminded that thousands of men and women have shed their blood to protect our freedom. All the blood spilt during all those wars has done much to preserve our physical freedom, but not one drop of it has purified our souls. It took only the blood of one man to do that. That spiritual freedom is ours for the taking, if we but believe on Him; repent of our sins; and take on a new life style. Imagine that the one thing in this life that is truly free – the salvation of your soul (the most important commodity in your life) is without cost to you – no shipping and handling to be added. No delay waiting for the postal service to deliver it – it is immediate and forever. The guarantee is in writing with no small print, no need for credit approval; it is just waiting for your acceptance. But wait; there is a bonus if you accept it today. That bonus is proven by the events of Resurrection Day. When the women went to the burial place they found an empty tomb. The only evidence that His body had been there; the burial clothes folded and neatly placed where the body had been. An angel of the most high God with the message that He had risen. The empty tomb now is the symbol that our Saviour has conquered death – He has given the born-again Christian eternal life with His Father. The empty tomb serves to tell us that a believer will only die once (born twice). The Christian has an advocate before the Father. Think about it – when you have been born once, you will die twice (once physically and once spiritually); but when you have been born twice (once by your mother and once by the grace of Jesus Christ) you will only die once (physically). Isn’t that the most wonderful news you have heard? Two symbols to think upon this Good Friday – the Cross of salvation and the empty tomb of eternity. Yours this day because GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE . HE DID NOT SEND HIS SON TO CONDEMN THE WORLD – BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM WOULD BE SAVED FROM THEIR SINS. (Chaplain Binion’s version) Happy Easter my beloved 5th Ky Infantry Regiment – I pray that all in our family will accept the free gift of salvation and eternal life, if they have not already. As the Word says in Numbers 6:24-26 – “The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Your humble servant Chaplain J. W. Binion 5th KY Inf. Reg. CSA Pvt. E. F. Arthur Camp 1783 SCV
Pastor J. W. Binion
Pvt. Edward F. Arthur Camp 1783 SCV
5th Ky. Infantry CSA