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This past Sabbath Joel and I were in Kelowna worshiping at a church in which  a poem was read. The poem portrayed a significant contrast between what the world has considered a great human leader and Jesus Christ. 

“Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three; One lived and died for self; one died for you and me. The Greek died on a throne; the Jew died on a cross; One‘s life triumphed seemed; the other a loss. One led armies forth; the other walked alone; One shed a whole world‘s blood; the other gave His own. One won the world in life and lost it all in death; The other lost His life to win the whole world‘s faith. Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three;
One died in Babylon; and one on Calvary.
One gained all for self; and one Himself He gave;
One conquered every throne; the other every grave.
The one made himself god; The God made Himself less;
The one lived but to blast; the other but to bless!
When died the Greek, forever fell his throne of swords
But Jesus died to live forever Lord of lords.

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three.
The Greek made all men slaves; the Jew made all men free.
One built a throne on blood; the other built on love,
The one was born of earth; the other from above;
One won all this earth, to lose all earth and heaven.
The other gave up all, that all to Him be given.
The Greek forever died; the Jew forever lives;
He loses all who get, and gains all things who gives”
Author unknown.

When we consider an effective leader, we rarely think of the qualities that marked Jesus life as strengths (ex: walked alone, lost all earth and heaven, was rejected, died).  And yet these very acts lay the foundation for our eternal hope. 
As we reflect on the significance of the life of Jesus during this Easter season, may we praise God that He was sent to earth, the one Leader that gave Himself completely and left us a legacy of love and vision that will never be forgotten. And may we anxiously seek to know Him like we‘ve never known Him before so we can effectively lead our children to Him. 

by Lara Melashenko

Pastor Paul is still in B.C. for a few days.  He sends his greetings and hopes that everyone has had a safe and blessed Easter. Please keep his family in your prayers as they are with a loved one in palliative care.   

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4