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- How and why did Jesus rise from the dead? ~ Christian Today
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied (I Corinthians 15:17-19, NIV).
Beloved, the day is Easter. It is a day to rejoice. The day that Jesus rose from the dead. He rose again for you. He rose again for me. He fulfilled the prophecies so that we may live eternally. When Christ rose again, He proved that He keeps His promises. He proved that He is the Son of God. He proved that He is sinless. He proved He loves us. He proved that He is God.
He proved that He keeps His promises:
He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again (Luke 24:6-7).
He proved that He is sinless:
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (II Corinthians 5:21).
He proved that He loves us:
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).
He proved that He is the Son of God:
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4).
He proved that He is God:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18).
Without Christ rising from the dead, we have nothing. The Resurrection demands that we believe that Jesus IS God. Without faith, we cannot have salvation. Without faith, the Bible is a book with some good stories, about a moral man.
Beloved, faith is a fact, but faith is also an act! This faith is what gives Christians a living hope. Because we are forgiven for our sins through the blood shed on the cross by Jesus Christ, we are now changed from enemies of God to forgiven children of God, with an eternal inheritance in heaven that can never be taken away.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10
This is our salvation: Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, and 3 days later, Jesus rose again. Jesus took the burden of our sins so that we could be forgiven and spend eternity with our Creator, His Father, God. Because of this, we are redeemed—set free from sin and death—purchased by Christ’s blood on Calvary.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead …
Matthew 28:2-7
Each of the gospels that were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, tell us of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. But what is interesting is how each of them ended their passages. At the end of the chapter in each of the gospels, after the resurrected Christ came to them, and then left again, we learn a different lesson from each apostle.
Matthew tells us to TEACH: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28: 19-20).
Mark tells us to PREACH: So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen (Mark 16:19-20).
Luke tells us to PRAISE and WORSHIP: And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen (Luke 24: 51-53).
John tells us to have FAITH: … blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:29-31).
Beloved, as we surrender our lives to the Lord, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died, was resurrected, and accept Him as our savior, our salvation is promised by our Heavenly Father. During the season of Easter, let’s focus on the fact that Jesus rose again—He conquered the grave—and through Him we can live eternally in His Presence. Hallelujah!
Say this faith declaration out loud: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending your Son to die for my sins so that I can have eternal life. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and love. I will continue in my faith. I will study the Bible so that I can teach Your Word. I will preach Your good news. I will praise and worship You. I want to bless You, as You have blessed me. Amen.
Scripture Reading:
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
Job 19:25, NIV
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:25
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
I Peter 1:3
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