“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7
No one has ever risen or claimed to have risen from the dead, except Jesus Christ. Of all the founders of religious faiths, He alone claimed to be still alive.
Resurrection Sunday is a day to commemorate and remember that.
“He is risen” (Matthew 28:7, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6) Jesus’ resurrection appears in all the four Gospels of Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, and John 20.
In Luke 24:46, Jesus said, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:4, Paul said, “[Jesus] was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Christian tradition holds that the sins of humanity were paid for by the death of Jesus and that His resurrection represents the acceptance of the sacrifice, the forgiveness of God and the anticipation believers can have in their own resurrection.
Jesus didn’t stay dead. His power broke through, and that same power is alive within us today. As believers, God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit, living and moving through us each day.
What does the resurrection mean for us?
- It provides a a way back to God. (John 14:6)
We can return to God. He has made a way. We can have a personal relationship with the very God who made us and loves us more than we could imagine.
- It provides opportunity for forgiveness of sin. (Ephesians 1:7)
Jesus has paid the price on Calvary; we can be forgiven of our sin.
- It provides freedom to all those who believe. (Galatians 5:1)
Freedom from the shackles of sin, shame, fear, worry, hopelessness, despair, addiction, guilt, darkness and eternal separation from God.
- It provides power for us to live today. (Philippians 3:10-11)
Jesus didn’t stay dead. His power broke through, and that same power is alive within us today. As believers, God has given us the power of the Holy Spirit, living and moving through us each day.
- It provides new life. (2 Timothy 1:9)
We have a whole new life and destiny through Christ. We are changed, from the inside. He renews our minds, changes our hearts and desires and gives us fresh purpose for every day set before us.
- It provides the way to have victory over the enemy. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
- It provides us the privilege of divine healing. (Isaiah 53:5)
- It provides for us an eternal heavenly home. (1 Peter 1:3)
We need not fear about what will happen to us when we die. In Christ we have been given the gift of eternal life. God is preparing a place for us, with him, to live forever.
“Lifted up, He defeated the grave
Raised to life, our God is able
In His name, we overcome
For the Lord our God is able.”
Today, we can live victoriously!
We can know God. Our sins can be forgiven. We can be set free. We can and have the power to live a new life. And we have a hope beyond the grave.
Reflection:
Are you living in freedom, in hope, in power and in victory?
How does your healed relationship with God through Jesus’ sacrifice help you bear up under your physical ailments (when God’s healing has not been experienced yet)?
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, thank you for living, dying and rising for me. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I place all my trust and hope in you. You are my Savior and Lord. Amen.”
