Triumph and Contrast, Resurrection

Holy week ended on a sad note with the death and burial of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. While Jesus repeatedly told His followers that He would be back from the grave, none believed Him. Even the disciple closest to Jesus, the Apostle John, was hiding with the other disciples. The tomb had been sealed and guarded. When Sunday morning came, the stone had been rolled away, the guards were nowhere to be found and the tomb was empty. The resurrection had indeed occurred, just as He said. Triumph and Contrast.

The Empty Tomb
Groom, Texas

You can read the complete account of the resurrection in Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-20, Luke 24:1-12 and John 20:1-18.

The significance of the resurrection of Jesus

Salvation from the penalty of sin

When sin entered the world because of the disobedience of one man, Adam, (Genesis 3), despair set in. Man tried everything he could think of to restore the relationship with God. The resurrection of Jesus ushered in the needed restoration. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).

As we look around us today, we see hatred and bitterness, senseless killing of innocent souls, lack of trust in our leaders. When will it end? Have we turned our back on God and Jesus? Surely not, because our hope is in the Jesus who conquered the cross.

• Everyone needs salvation because we have all sinned. (Romans 3:10-12)
• The price (or consequence) of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
• Jesus died for our sins. He died on the cross for you and I. (Rom 5:8)
• We receive salvation and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:9-10)
  

Romans 5:1
Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, (NCV)

Romans 8:1
So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty. (NCV)

Eternal security (life)

The Apostle John records several verses related to eternal security (life).

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus say, ^“A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10, NCV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29, NCV)

I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God so you will know you have eternal life.  (1 John 5:13, NCV)

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Even though the Holy Spirit does come until after Jesus’ ascension, we know the Holy Spirit does come based on Acts 2.

The Holy Spirit dwells in us. 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19

Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. (1 John 3:24)

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13)

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

Jesus tell us in Acts 1:8, “we will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”

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Hebrews 10:21-23 says:

Since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Love and grace come from the cross, hatred and bitterness is not. God’s love and grace is not based on our goodness or how we perform but rather on the Cross. We are all God’s children when we accept His son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for all of us. Receiving the love of Jesus and living in his love everyday, is the first and most essential step in having a life worth living and love worth giving. Jesus gave His life for you so now is the time to give your life to Him.

We can have the assurance of where we will spend eternity.

If you were to die today, do you know where you will spend eternity?

Have you accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus offers?

Would you pray with me –

Lord Jesus,
I repent of my sins.
Come into my heart.
I want you to be my LORD and SAVIOR and accept you as such.
Thank You for taking my place on that cross.
Thank you for giving me a new life.
In Jesus Name,
AMEN

Hallelujah! He is Risen

Everything a Christian believes and lives for has it’s foundation on today. For if it were not for Easter, Christianity would be just another cult. Let us rejoice in today and see how Jesus revealed the truth of the resurrection.

• The Women at The Tomb (Mat 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20.1-13)
  This is the only event that is recorded in the four Gospels. In the accounts from Matthew, Mark and Luke, the women encounter an angel (Mat 28:5-7, Mark 16:5-7, Luke 24:4-6). There is no record of any angel appearing before the disciples. Why did the angel/angels appear before the women and not the disciples?

• The Two on the Way to Emmaus (Luke 16:13-35)
  These two travelers were apparently headed back home after a bizarre Passover celebration. Their leader Jesus of Nazareth had been arrested and executed. As they walked in disbelief, they encountered a stranger who opened their eyes.

• The Disciples in a locked room (Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23)
  The disciples were hiding in a locked room; they feared their very own lives; would they be next? Did they not learn anything in the three years they lived with Jesus?

• Thomas called Didymus (John 20:24-29)
  Jesus had a special encounter with Thomas for he just could not believe what the others have already accepted as fact. Jesus indeed had risen just as he said he would.

• The Disciples on a Mountain (Mat 28:16-20)
  This passage is better known as the “Great Commission” and is often cited during baptismal celebrations. While this is appropriate, I believe this passage is a command directing Christians to live as Jesus did. The book of Matthew outlines the five principles of Kingdom living.

• The Disciples by the Sea (John 21:1-14)
  Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew to be a disciple. After a disgusting day of fishing, Jesus showed them how they would be real fishermen. In this closing passage, Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee (James and John) and two other un-named disciples went fishing. After a great catch resembling the first great catch (Mat 4:18-21), Jesus forgives Peter and restores him by commissioning him to “feed my Sheep”.

• Jesus appears to you.
  What is your story of your encounter with Jesus?