Christian Report April 2025

Up From The Grave

It’s Saturday, the day after the Lord was crucified. A man stares at the huge boulder covering the tomb’s entrance. Let’s listen in on him as he speaks to himself:

I don't know how to say it. Words choke in my throat. My stomach wants to heave. Grief grips my chest. We thought he would deliver us. That God would restore our kingdom, keep His promise to our Fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.

But that won’t happen now. He died last evening. Mocked. Spat on. Bloodied. Cold.

I watched him die.

His last words confused me. I’m still confused.

Without warning, he stiffened his legs and pushed his feet against the nails. At the same time, he thrust out his chest, pulled mercilessly against his hands also nailed to the cross. Then he lifted his face toward heaven, as if seeing something unseen. But his expression . . . It seemed out of place. No hint of anger. No pain. Almost . . . almost . . . I think ‘satisfied’ best describes how he looked.

Then he cried out – so sudden, so loud even the soldiers stopped and looked at him. “It is finished!”

His voice rang clear. Strong. Confident. Almost like a shout of triumph.

And that’s what confuses me. Triumph?

Then he went limp. Like an old cloth. His arms, still held by the nails in his hands, pulled against his shoulders. From where I stood, it looked as if his arms had been pulled out of joint.

One of the soldiers picked up a spear and thrust it deep into Jesus’ chest. Blood and water gushed from the wound, but Jesus didn’t so much as flinch.

When the soldiers let us, we took Jesus from the cross and gathered around him. We cradled him in our arms. His skin felt cold. His eyes were gray. Dull. Still.

Joseph wrapped him in a burial cloth, and we carried him to the tomb Joseph had given for Jesus’ burial. We rolled the stone over the entrance. And we walked away.

But what did he mean, “It is finished”?

Now the scene changes to the next day.

OH!  Listen! He’s alive! He’s alive! I don’t know how . . .  it's a miracle. A glorious wondrous miracle. He’s alive. I saw him die. I buried him. But he’s alive! Alive!

I just talked with him. Even ate with him. At first, we didn’t know it was him. But Oh! how our hearts burned when He spoke with us about the Scriptures.

He broke bread. And then . . . then he was goneᵃ. Vanished. Suddenly. Before our eyes. But oh, I remember His words, and I now know what was finished when he shouted, “It is finished.”

Death, yes even death’s power is finished. They killed the Prince of Lifeᵇ, but Jesus swallowed up deathᶜ. And now, everyone – everyone who believes and obeys him will live, even if he diesᵈ. And everyone who believes and obeys him will never dieᵉ.

Oh, death where now is your victory? Grave, where now is your sting? We know the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but Almighty God has given us the victory over deathᶠ through Jesus our Lord.

God’s wrath against us for

our sins is finished.

We’ve all gone astray. We’ve all turned to our own way. But God laid on him all of our iniquitiesᵍ.

God’s wrath toward those who obey Christ is finished because He reconciled us to himself through Jesus’ death, making him to be sinʰ on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. And now, by our obedient faith in Christ, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins according to the superabundant riches of God’s grace which he lavished on usⁱ.

Jesus is alive. He is the alpha and the omegaʲ. The beginning and the end. The first and the last. He alone holds the keys of death and of hellᵏ. OH! We all must get this! Jesus is alive, and all authority in heaven and earth belongs to Himˡ. It is finished. The battle is over between life and death, good and evil, hatred and love – it is finished. It’s the end of the conflict. It is finished.

And Jesus is Lordᵐ.

Amen.

a Luke 24:13-32

b Acts 3:14-15

c 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

d Hebrews 5:8-9

e John 11:25-26

f 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

g Isaiah 53

h 2 Corinthians 5:21

I Ephesians 1:7-11

J Revelation 21:6-8

k Revelation 1:17-18

l Matthew 28:18

m Philippian 2:10-11

CDR Richard Maffeo, USN (Ret.) served with the US Navy as a registered nurse. When he retired in 2007, he found employment in nursing education, both in Tacoma, WA and in Georgia. He fully retired in 2020 and now teaches Bible study and holds church services at a local memory care center and a 55+ independent living community. He and his wife, Nancy, are married for 50 years and have three adult children.  You can find Richard’s blog at https://inhimonly.blogspot.com/. You can also find him on Facebook @Richard Maffeo

TAPS: In Memoriam

It is always with great sadness to us remaining here on earth to learn of the passing of our beloved friends and co-laborers in the Kingdom.  Yet we rejoice as they have been promoted to their great reward, for as it is written “...no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him…” (1 Cor 2:9).  Indeed, what is sorrow for us is not sorrow for them, and their homecoming is precious in the eyes of our Heavenly Father (Ps 116:15).

We often hear about the passing of our members far after the fact, so please bear with us when our announcements are not timely. Please also forgive us for not announcing the passing of one of your loved ones as this is a new feature of the Christian Report.  Please call or send an email letting us know if we can inform our membership of the passing of your loved one.

Richard “Dick” Price, Veteran, USMC — February 15, 2025. Dick was a man of deep faith, unwavering commitment, and boundless love, leaving behind a legacy that touched countless lives.

Dick proudly served as a United States Marine during the Vietnam War.  His dedication to service extended beyond the military, shaping his lifelong mission of guiding and mentoring others.

Dick’s commitment to others was evident in the time he dedicated to ministry and discipleship.  In 2000, Dick moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina to serve with The Navigators at Camp Lejeune, where he led Bible studies and discipled young Marines. His mentorship left an indelible mark on many, offering wisdom, guidance, and a steadfast example of faith in action. After three years, he transitioned to the Christian Military Fellowship, where he continued his ministry, tirelessly supporting military families and strengthening their faith.

Dick’s commitment to others was evident in the time he dedicated to ministry and discipleship. He not only led Bible studies but also walked alongside those he mentored, providing spiritual guidance and unwavering support. For many, he was more than a mentor—he was a father figure, a friend, and a source of encouragement through every stage of life.

Dick is survived by his loving wife, Sue Price; his children and grandchildren; and a host of extended family members, friends, and those whom he mentored. His legacy of faith, love, and service will continue through the many lives he touched.

S. Linda Wainionpaa — August 18, 2024 — Beloved wife of LCDR John Wainionpaa, USN (Ret).  Linda was passionate about making a difference in the lives of children. For more than 30 years, she coordinated the Operation Christmas Child ministry in every church that she attended, starting with Woodmen Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs.

For the nineteen years of his career that she and John were married, she held “the toughest job in the Navy – Navy Wife,” operationalizing the family’s eighteen moves in the first seventeen years. 

Linda was an active member of Christ Chapel of Cape Cod, serving as Christian Education Leader, Nursery Coordinator, Women’s Fellowship Board Member, Bible Study Leader, on the Hospitality Team, and Operation Christmas Child Chairperson (her greatest joy).

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4