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The Pinecone
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April 2015
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f r om Don J oh n s on , K i r b y P i n e s Chap l a i n
Chaplain’s COrner
April 30th
Reverend
Jerry Crook
All Saints Episcopal
On June 18, 1815, at Waterloo, a small
town near Brussels, Belgium, two
armies fought fiercely in a battle that
would shape history. French forces
under Napoleon Bonaparte attacked
the allied forces of Belgium, Britain,
Hanover and the Netherlands under
the command of England’s Duke of
Wellington.
The opposing armies were nearly
equal in number, though Napoleon had
superior artillery and cavalry. Because
of heavy rains the day before, Napoleon
delayed his attack until noon. This gave
time for Prussian soldiers to arrive to
reinforce Wellington.
People in England were eagerly
awaiting news of the outcome of this
momentous battle. The message came
by signal across the English channel,
one letter at a time. ”W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-
O-N D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D.” Then a thick
fog closed in and nothing more could
be seen. Throughout England everyone
was devastated at the thought their great
Wellington had lost.
The Greatest Victory
April 9th
Joe
Jernigan
Bellevue Baptist
April 16th
Barry Grider
Forrest Hill
Church of Christ
April 23rd
Reverend Doctor
Herbert Hand
Faith Angelical Church
Apr i l Vesper Services
•
6:30pm
•
Performing Arts Center
April 2nd
Reverend
John Holt
Evangelical Church
Then the fog lifted and the message
came again.“W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N
D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D T-H-E E-N-E-
M-Y.” Church bells rang and people
rejoiced as news of the victory spread.
A similar thing happened 20 Centuries
ago. On a scull-shaped hill called
Calvary, Jesus was crucified and died.
Taken from the cross, He was buried
in Joseph’s cave tomb nearby. With a
heavy stone rolled over the entrance and
Roman guards blocking any intrusion, a
sad message spread everywhere.
“J-E-S-U-S D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D.” The
confusion was thicker than the fog that
spread over the English channel. Gloom
was the prevalent feeling. How could
this have happened? Jesus had been
so special, and had promised so much!
Friday turned to Saturday. And then
came Sunday. Another message was
spelled out. J-E-S-U-S D-E-F-E-A-
T-E-D T-H-E E-N-E-M-Y.” First His
disciples, and then hundreds of others
saw Him alive again. The darkness of
defeat was illuminated by the brilliance
of the Resurrection.
Christ Jesus is Risen. He is not the
vanquished but the Victor. He who was
condemned is the Conqueror. Out of the
gore of the cross came the Glory of the
Risen Redeemer. All that would have
come against us, came against Him.
And He won! Forever He has won! The
real message of this time is: “J-E-S-U-S
D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D T-H-E E-N-E-
M-Y.”
From the Garden of Eden long, long ago
where Paradise was lost, to the Garden
of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed
“Not My will, but Yours be done”, then
on to Golgotha and the empty tomb,
Paradise was regained, mankind was
redeemed, victory was won!
Christ’s Resurrection, though not
believed by many, is the most well
documented event of history. His
promises were kept! His power was
demonstratively shown! And because of
His great victorywe can live victoriously
each day. Christ lives to live in us. It’s
a spiritual but wondrously personal
reality. As scripture says, “The sting of
death is sin, and the power of sin is the
law. But thanks be to God. He gives us
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore my beloved brothers, stand
firm. Let nothing move you. Always
give yourselves fully to the work of the
Lord, because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain.”
- I Corinthians 15:56-58
Till next time,
Don Johnson, Kirby Pines Chaplain