He is risen!
The resurrection of Christ is not just a historical fact; it’s the very foundation of the Christian faith. It shows that Jesus, who is God, conquered sin and death. We learn about His resurrection from the accounts in the Four Gospels, where an angel declared this incredible news.
Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV)
“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.’”
Mark 16:6 (NIV)
“‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.’”
Luke 24:5-6 (NIV)
“In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’”
John 20:11-18 (NIV)
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means ‘Teacher’).
Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.”
Why is the resurrection of Christ so significant for us as believers?
- Proof of identity: The resurrection proves that Jesus was who He claimed to be – the Son of God – and it fulfills prophecies from the Old Testament. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” In simpler terms, without the resurrection, our faith doesn’t mean much, and we’re still trapped in our sins. This event is the most crucial part of Christian belief, promising salvation and everlasting life to those who trust in Jesus.
- Gracious God: The resurrection demonstrates God’s grace to the point where He gave us His only son so we might be saved. It is a sign of His faithfulness and love for humanity, offering forgiveness and redemption to all who turn to Him in faith. As believers, we celebrate the resurrection not only on Easter Sunday but every day, as it serves as a reminder of God’s grace and the promise of new life in Christ.
- Victory over death: The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows us God’s power over sin and death. In Romans 6:9 (NIV), the apostle Paul declares, “For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.” This truth shows how Jesus’ resurrection changes believers’ lives, giving them confidence that they can conquer death and the hope of living forever with Christ.
What should we be doing as Christians during this Easter period?
- Celebrate His Resurrection: Easter is not just a single day but a season of celebration. As Christians we should continue to rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the victory over sin and death that it represents. It’s a way of expressing gratitude for God’s saving grace and the hope of new life in Christ.
- Reflect on the Meaning of Easter: After Easter, we ought to take time to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for our faith. We can meditate on passages of Scripture that speak about the resurrection and its implications for salvation and eternal life.
- Share the Gospel: Spread the good news around. Afterall the message of Jesus’ resurrection is central to the Christian faith, and as believers we’re supposed to share this message with others. We are living proof of the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection and we should invite others to experience the hope and forgiveness we found in Him.
- Live in Resurrection Power: The resurrection of Jesus Christ has implications for how we Christians live our lives. We can walk in the power of the resurrection, knowing that we’ve have been raised to new life with Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live victoriously over sin and darkness.
- Serve Others: Following the example of Jesus, we can continue to serve others with love and compassion. Seeking opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ through acts of kindness, generosity, and service to those in need.
- Grow in Faith: After Easter, we should really deepen our relationship with God and grow in our faith rather than throwing an insensitive party. We ought to engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading Scripture, worship, and fellowship with other believers to nurture our faith and draw closer to God.
In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith, affirming His victory over sin and death and offering hope for all who believe. It is a story of redemption, love, and triumph, inspiring us believers to live in the light of His resurrection and share the good news with the world. After Easter, we are called to continue living as people of the resurrection, embracing the hope and new life that Jesus’ resurrection brings and sharing this message of hope with the world.
Stay Blessed x
