The last chapter: A good one. Thanks to Easter!

I tuned in to the Robert Schuller worship service on a Sunday morning years ago, hoping to catch some fine music. I loved the Crystal Cathedral choir and majestic pipe organ! But, I was too late. I was about to click off when I noticed that one of my favorite preachers was at the podium. I always enjoy listening to former Fuller Seminary president Richard Mouw.

I’ll have to paraphrase his opening story…his style is inimitable. He confessed to the congregation that he sometimes enjoys reading a cheap who-dunnit. Not only that, but he also admitted that sometimes he takes a sneak-peek at the final chapter! He explained that he would become a bit anxious, on page 247, when the hero’s life was in danger, and when the heroine had been kidnapped by the bad guys. Dr. Mouw allows that he still goes back and reads the entire book, but he just wanted to put his mind at ease, knowing that everything ended up OK.

He then went on to say that there were probably many in the audience that morning with problems in their lives. But he reminded them that, in their book of life, they were still at page 247. He then assured his listeners that there was hope, because (holding up his Bible) he had read the last chapter.

I woke up this many years later, thinking of that story. It’s a terribly trying time because of this raging pandemic. In my field of work it’s especially worrisome because we deal with prisoners. I can tell you that right now prisoners are anxious, worried, terrified and angry. The number of those testing positive is rapidly increasing. Several in Michigan have died. Prison staff members are also testing positive. It’s getting worse.

But, my Easter message to prisoners is that we’re at page 247.

A hint of good news for inmates came already on Good Friday, when Jesus welcomed that guy some have named Dismas into heaven. Dismas was not a wrongly convicted prisoner. He was a criminal with such a terrible record that he received a death sentence. Yet, in his final moments, hanging on a cross next to Jesus, he asked the Savior to remember him. Just that fast, Jesus accepted his request. No need for baptism. No need for catechism classes. No need for proof of good works and/or Bible study.

Then came Easter morning. Jesus Christ, whom prisoners can identify with---wrongly accused, abused, and over-sentenced---rose again from the dead!

Christ is risen!

He is risen, indeed!

His resurrection doesn’t mean that all suffering has now come to an end. But, because of the risen Christ, Covid-19 doesn’t infect the last chapter for anyone. Inside or outside of prison.

Because He lives, we can face tomorrow!