What Does Resurrection Sunday Mean to Me?

by  David M. Brown


A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I remember what my life once was like.  I was born and grew up in a great Conservative Jewish home living first in North Miami Beach, Florida, then Atlanta, Georgia and for some time in the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C.  I also found myself living in the Holy Land, the Land of Milk and Honey, the State of Israel also known as the Land of Israel and the Jewish State.  Living the life of a devout Conservative Jew, I believed the last of the names listed but today, I know it is also the land where my Personal Lord and Savior, My Messiah and the True Son of God was born, ministered, died and rose again.

You surely recognized the title of this commentary or testimonial as calling tomorrow Resurrection Sunday.  Why?  Well, as many people have asked over the years, where does the idea of the bunny and easter eggs come into the story of Jesus Christ's life, ministry and death and resurrection?  Easily said, these are not symbols of His life.  They are simply symbols of the time of the year, Spring.

I will be the first one to tell you that I would never have believed that Jesus Christ died and rose again and still would not if I remained in my old life.  I would say this as well, I am not even sure if I would be alive today if I did not come to accept Him as my Lord and Savior.  I feared death because I had no idea what was in store for me afterward.  I have heard about Heaven and Hell but I was never sure what any of this meant.  I have heard of pergatory and being in limbo, but once again, had no idea what any of this meant until I read Dante's poems and stories in American Literature classes in my first year in college.

Then, I felt that it was absolutely necessary to pick up the Holy Bible and begin to read.  Read I did and read I do each and every day.  Way back when, I would spend hours and days in Hebrew School reading from the Torah and the Siddur (Jewish prayer book) but I still did not find a lot of the answers that I was looking for.  In neither of these great books did I ever find the mention of the Precious Name of Jesus Christ.

When I came to my decision to accept Jesus Christ into my life, I learned from my first pastor that there were many signs in my prior life that led me to the day of my conversion.  I did not see them until he and I talked for nearly three hours.  Wow!  I learned that he knew more about my life than I knew about my life.

So, today, as I have done over the last ten years since my conversion into the life of Jesus Christ, I come to gather my thoughts, dwell in His Word and come to an understanding that without knowing and accepting Jesus Christ, I would still be asking the same questions and definitely continuing to fear death and even fear itself.  I would still be lost and wondering what was to come in my life after death, if anything without Christ.

Dwelling in the Word, the Holy Bible and knowing Jesus Christ, I have the greatest understanding of what my life is to be and how I am to lead it.  Understanding the story of the Resurrection is so important that knowing without it, we would not have a Christmas.  Without the Resurrection, we would all be wondering, what happens to us after death?

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.  And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."  And they remembered his words and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest, Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.  But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.  Luke 24:1-12 English Standard Version

So, just as was foretold in the Scriptures, Jesus Christ had risen again.  He has Risen!  He Has Risen Indeed!  Jesus is Alive!  He is with us!

So, Resurrection Sunday means to me that I have eternal life because I have accepted Jesus Christ into my life, into my heart and into my mind.  He is truly the Son of God, the Messiah!  And, there is no turning back!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Easter - A Time of Reflection - Am I Responsible?

Easter - a time of reflection - especially for someone like myself as I lived the life of a Jew for nearly 36 years.  Here I sit writing what I feel today, at this moment as I have read many postings today on Facebook and Twitter about how people feel at this time of the year.  What I am about to write here is something that I have been thinking about for sometime now and it has been effecting my heart and my mind and my strength and my soul. 

I think about what it was that I was doing and how I was feeling as I was a part of something big, really big.  I was part of history, I was part of something that I feel I cannot take back.  I was part of what happened to my Messiah, My Lord and Savior and the one true Son of God.  I was part of a rejection to the Son of God when His Mother Mary and His Father Joseph was looking for a room in the inn.  I played the role as the Innkeeper who turned them away from a room so Mary could deliver the baby Jesus.  Recently, I played the role of the one disciple, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the guards of the High Priests and to the Romans.  I played the part of one man who did not believe in Him for nearly 36 years. 

However, I discovered that there was room for me at the Cross.  There was room for me in the crowds at my Messiah's Trial in front of Ponchius Pilate, the Roman Governor in Jerusalem.  There was room for me in the crowds when Jesus was beaten and was whipped like no man should ever have to be for being innocent, for committing no crime.  I was in the crowds along that long road, the Via de la Rosa, which led ever so high to that Mount known as Cavalry.  There was room for me in the crowds along that street stained with my Savior's blood.  I stood back and did not do a thing.  What was wrong with me?  Why could I not believe then as I surely do now?  Am I responsible?  Am I responsible for my Savior's death?  Am I responsible for not storming the Roman soldiers as they nailed my Savior's hands and my Savior's feet to the Cross?  Am I responsible for not climbing that Cross and freeing My Savior who was not a criminal, but God in the flesh?  He hung their high, bleeding, dying for me.  It was my fault.  I sinned.  I did not listen. 

However, Jesus Christ, the Begotten Son of God, said this among His dying words:  "Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do."  Did we not know?  Did I not know?  How could I not?  He taught us about Love, about friendship, the difference between good and evil.  Why did I not know?  How could I not know? 

He died!  I cried and I wept and I screamed for my Lord and Savior.  Was it too late for me?  What was I to do?  Run and hide?  Jesus forgave me when He went to the Cross.  He forgave that part of humanity that was blind to who He was.  He was God, God in the Flesh!  Why could I not see it?  What would it take?  I was waiting for a Messiah.  Someone different, but I was blind. I want to see, Lord Jesus!  Make me see!

He did make me see.  He said that He would raise the temple in three days!  He arose!  He did come back to life like He said He would!  What a beautiful day that was!  He is alive in my heart and in my mind and in my soul.  Jesus is ALIVE!

I now know.  I now know who the Messiah is.  He said that He would return and it would be at the time of His Father's Will.  I have accepted You Lord Jesus as my Savior!  I no longer fear death because of You!  You have taught me what Love is all about.  You have taught me what it means to be a Christian.  You have taught me as long as I accept You I will live in eternity with You.  I know it is a two-way street.  I have to fight temptation.  I have to push satan aside and not let him win over me.  With Your walk with me and with Your talk with me, I know You are here.

Thank You Lord Jesus for guiding me to a path of righteousness.  I know that I may sin from time-to-time, but I also know that You forgive me of these sins because of what You did.  That Old Rugged Cross took You from me for a short time, but I know that You are here.  Thank You Lord Jesus.

Now, I know I must do my part.  I must go out into the world and tell people about You.  The souls like me which at one time or another could not see.  They could not believe.  They are lost, but I know through You they can be found.

Happy Easter everyone!  HE IS ALIVE!  HE AROSE.

David Brown
Co-Founder
Mission Lighthouse Ministry

Events at Home Church - Mount Carmel Christian Church, Stone Mountain, GA

Hello and Happy Easter Week Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that the home church that Alex Aleman and I belong to, Mount Carmel Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia has a lot of great events that are happening to lead up to Easter Sunday.

First and foremost, there is Wednesday evening fellowship dinner, Bible Study Classes and Choir Practice.  All of these great electives are fun and full of the Holy Spirit as we all should be.  Dinner begins at 5:30pm and is kept open until 6:15pm.  The cost of the dinner is 7.00 and is so worth it as there is plenty of food to go around, including dessert and salad and there is even kid's meals as well.

Second, tomorrow morning, I will be giving a presentation for the Young at Heart at Mount Carmel Christian Church.  It is entitled, "Passover-A Celebration."  I am so looking forward to this, I cannot wait.  This begins at 11:30am.

Third, tomorrow evening, at 7:00pm, there will be a Communion Service.  It is expected to last for 45 minutes and it celebrates the life, the crucifixion and the rising of Jesus Christ back to life!  This is going to be a great presentation and communion will be offered.  Come one and come all for this great service.

Fourth, Friday morning, Good Friday, Mount Carmel Christian School will be presenting a service in the main sanctuary at 10:30 am.  This is going to be service to remembers, so, if you have the time, come witness a great Good Friday service.

Fifth,  on Saturday, April 23, 2011 from 1pm - 3pm, there will be a Mount Carmel Christian Church Family Fun Day for everyone!  Please bring your children and your appetite for the Lord and for your stomachs!  There is also an Easter Egg Hunt with over 10,000 eggs to be found!

Lastly, on Sunday, April 24, 2011, there is going to be a very powerful, heart-filled, Easter Service at Mount Carmel Christian Church starting at 10:30am in the main sanctuary.  We are looking for you as is the Lord to attend.  Come and worship that the Lord is Alive!

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to one and all!


Dave Brown

2011 Easter Message from David Brown, Co-Founder, Mission Lighthouse Ministry

First, I have to apologize for not keeping up with a daily blog posting, but this will soon change.  There really is no excuse, but what I have to say is this:  I have certainly not forgotten about the Easter holiday because I have been practicing for the production that my home church, Mt. Carmel Christian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia is getting ready to put on.  It is scheduled for Sunday evening, April 17, 2011 at 7pm.  It is called, The Easter Song and it may have taken some of us a little bit longer to get into the music and its message, but it is strong and so is the drama. 

"It is going to be the best production, yet," says Trudy Daffron, interim choir director for Mount Carmel Christian Church.  She is certainly right about that. She went on to say this, "whether we have a hundred or more in the audience that night, or we sing to ourselves, we will certainly be touched in a whole new way by this particular production."  Again, she was right.

Speaking of Easter, itself, I want to say this.  This is the time of the year that sees more conversions to the Christian Faith than at any other time of the year.  I can certainly go into all of the statistical readings of this and at sometime during this post, I just might do this.  However, what I would like to talk about is the last days of Jesus before He was crucified, Why He was crucified and What the ramifications are today because of His crucifixion. 

Easter as we know, is a Christian holiday to celebrate not only the crucifixion, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but also the spring season, to a degree.  We find ourselves decorating our homes in more pastel colors, wearing clothes that are more pastel in color, and probably planting flowers that are pastel in color.  But, the most important thing to think about is what Easter is truly about and that is Jesus Christ and what it is that He did for us by sacrificing His life for ours.

I would like to point out the scripture that talks about His last days and then get back to Easter and what it means to us.  I am going to start with Matthew 26:17 and go forward to the crucifixion and then continue on.  I will do all that I can to paraphrase what is going on at this point.

The Gospel according to Matthew:

Judas Iscariot front right leaving after being discovered as the Betrayer by Jesus.

We are at the point in the story leading up to Jesus' crucifixion where Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, also considered a thief, had met with the Chief Priest's to do his part in turning Jesus over to them.  He would receive thirty pieces of silver for his service to them and then he waited for the right time to turn Jesus in.  At the same time, Jesus did already know that Judas was the one who was to betray Him to the Chief Priest and that Peter, another of the disciples was eventually going to reject Him three times.

Then, on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Jesus and asked Him where they should make preparations for the Passover.  Jesus told them to go into the city (Jerusalem) and them him that the Teacher says:  "My appointed time is near.  I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house." (Matthew 26:18)  So the disciples did as Jesus said and prepared the Passover. 

Evening fell, and Jesus was now celebrating the Passover with His disciples by reclining at the table.  He then went into the story.  He said that one of the twelve would betray Him.  They were all sad and began to say one at a time that it was surely not him.  Jesus told them that it would be the one who dipped his hand in the bowl with Him.  Jesus then went on to say that "woe is the man who betrays the Son of Man!  That it would be better if he was not born at all.

Judas then went on to say that it was surely not him.  This is when Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." (Matthew 26:25).  This is when Jesus took the bread and broke it then gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat, this is my body (Matthew 26:26).  Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.  This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Then He said, "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."   (Matthew 26:27-29). 

In the Garden of Gasthemene, Jesus told the Disciples that they would fall away on account of Him.  Peter told Him that even if all fall away on account of Him, he never would.  Here is how Jesus replied in Matthew 26:34:  "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  Peter told Jesus that even if he had to die with Him that he would never disown Him.  Everyone else said the same.  Sometime from the end of the Passover feast to the leaving for the Garden, Judas had left the room and returned to the Chief Priest. 




While in the Garden, Jesus told His disciples sit elsewhere while He prayed to His Father alone.  He then returned to them and asked them why they could not keep watch for even an hour while He prayed to His Father.  He seemed to be saying this directly to Peter.


A couple of times, Jesus went to pray to His Father and again the disciples would fall into sleep as their eyes were heavy.  Jesus is now troubled to the point of tears.  In Matthew 26:45-46, He asks the disciples, "Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us go!  Here comes my betrayer."


While Jesus was still speaking, Judas arrived.  With him was a large crowd sent to arrest Him.  The crowd was armed with clubs and swords and they were sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.

Then Judas said to the armed men and I am paraphrasing here, the one that I kiss is the one who you are to arrest.  He then walked up to Jesus and said, "Greetings Rabbi."  and then kissed Jesus on the cheek.

Jesus was taken aback by what was occurring in the Garden. 


He asked if they thought He was leading a rebellion for them to come with such weapons.  He went on to ask them why He was not arrested when He sat with the people in the Temple and taught.  He would also say that the scriptures prophesied all of this to this point, so He did not stop what was happening.  However, one of Jesus' companions stepped forward, drew his sword and cut the ear off of one of the servants of the high priests.

Jesus then told him to put his sword away.  He went on to say that the one who draws the sword will die by the sword.  (Matthew 26:52).

Then, without warning, all of the disciples fled and abandoned their Lord.

I will leave the next scenes for tomorrow as I want to stop here and talk about Judas Iscariot.  Last Christmas, I had the opportunity to play the Innkeeper who turned Mary and Joseph away as she was to soon give birth to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Yet, in reading scripture, there was not much about the innkeeper.  I truly believed that the innkeeper who rejected Jesus' parents was also the one who then told them about the barn and that they could have it for the night.  He was also the one who offered fresh hay and blankets to them.  That is my thinking, but I could be wrong.  I say this because I did not find in scripture where Mary and Joseph walked for miles upon miles looking for an inn.

Now, for Easter, I get to play the part of Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have to say that even though there are no lines, the thought of playing such a part is not easy.  I also do get to sing with the choir, but playing this role is tough.  I accepted it, so there is no being upset about it.  It is part of the story and I live with it.

Judas found what he did was not right, especially during the questioning and the beatings that Jesus began to endure from the high priests and others.  He took on the guilt and returned the silver pieces to the priests and then went off and hung himself.  Thank God I do not have to do this in the production, but it is worth mentioning anyway.


So, goes the story of the Last Supper, the New Covenant created by Jesus, the betrayal and the rejection of Christ by His disciples.

Next is the trial and the walk up the Via DelaRosa to Mount Cavalry.