Gated communities, walls, barricades, stockades, bulwarks, road blocks – all designed to protect one side from the other.  These obstacles are built for the purpose of protection of what lies within. They include precious people, riches and treasures, things not wanted to be shared with the outside world.

When we put up walls, we are indeed keeping those things safe.  We are providing a safety net for those inside along with a feeling of shelter and security.  When we wall ourselves in, however, we are losing out on what lies on the other side.

Most Americans are descendants of those from other countries. Illegal immigration has become the norm, because it’s so easy to get in.  Illegal means “against the law.”  In our world today, the word “law” has very little clout.  Over time, laws are changed, but they are intended for the same purpose – to keep us safe, to make us feel secure and protect us from the bad guys.  Going through the legal process of immigration takes a long time, but it’s the right way to do it.  We seem to have ignored that word “illegal” for some time now.

In a perfect world, all folks should live together peacefully, but for that to happen, there must also be law and order. In the past 50 years or so, I have seen a great change in what is right and wrong.  It seems to have flipped completely upside down.  Now the cops are on trial while the criminals are set free.  Our laws are not enforced as they should be, because of full courtrooms and prisons.  Those who break the law are released back into society too soon and return to their old ways.  Corruption is everywhere.

Over the past week, we saw how a kangaroo court convicted an innocent man and sentenced Him to a horrific death.  The stone sealing His secured tomb was rolled away and that barricade could not hold the living Son of God.  He conquered death and took away all our sins.  He made it possible for us to share in His kingdom.

On that same day, we heard of terrible destruction and persecution in another part of the world.  The churches of Sri Lanka – sanctuaries designed for worship – were destroyed along with the lives of many.  Those sacred walls were broken down, but the Joy of Easter continues to ring out.

Buildings, walls, fences, safeguards and barricades can keep us safe, but not forever.  Placing our confidence in the risen Messiah – the true Son of God – true God/true man – Creator of the Universe and all it holds – The One who loves us – is our sure defense.  We can be sure that he will guard us from all the dangers and messes of life.  He is stronger than any wall.  He uses His power to build us up and bring us to our eternal kingdom.  In heaven, there will be no obstacles.  Those who enter will immediately inherit a perfect life for all eternity.