It’s that time of year again; the time when life is celebrated as a holiday.
Easter.
I understand there are many Christians who can’t stand the word Easter, because of its pagan origin. Frankly, though I’m not wild about the word, I am okay with the concept of taking a pagan holiday and turning it into something new.
After all, it’s what the Resurrection of Jesus made possible for us all.
In fact, the death and burial of the sinless Son of God would have meant nothing without the resurrection.
“Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].” (Romans 4:25 AMP)
In other words, He died to pay for our sins, and the Father’s “Amen” was forever demonstrated to mankind by the empty tomb.
So whether you prefer Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday, God still says the same thing; “everyone’s debt of sin has been paid once and for all. If it were not so, I would have never been able to raise My Son from the grave. The devil would have kept Him in the bowels of the earth.”
But praise God, Jesus IS risen!
And child of God, the resurrection of Jesus means MUCH MORE than a simple receipt with PAID IN FULL stamped on it.
May these resurrection truths grow roots and bear fruit in our lives…
Truth #1 – Power to stand with God.
“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33 ESV)
The word “resurrection” sounds like a religious word, but in plain, ordinary English it means, “to stand up again”. That’s exactly what the power of the Holy Spirit enables us to do.
To stand up again after being dead in sin, pushed around by our old nature, buried beneath our burden of guilt and shame. Yes, the same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the grave dwells in us and gives life to our mortal flesh; we stand up again and again and again.
Until we finish our course. Victorious in Him!
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” (Romans 8:11 – 8:12 ESV)
Did you see that? The Spirit Who raised up Jesus raises us up, SO THEN we don’t have to obey our flesh!
Truth #2 – Power to be led by God.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14 ESV)
Imagine what He can do through you and I as we learn to hear His voice and cooperate with His leading.
Jesus said something that pretty much blew His disciples’ minds. “It’s to your advantage that I go away.”
Really, Jesus? What could be better than the Son of God accompanying you everywhere?
His answer to that question blows MY mind…
Truth #3 – Power to do the works of Jesus.
What could be better?
Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13 – 16:15 ESV)
Child of God, all things that belong to the Father belong to Jesus. AND EVERYTHING Jesus has is available to you and I through the ministry of the Helper; the Holy Spirit.
Facing death and destruction? Sickness and disease? Fear and torment? Testing and trials?
The One Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you!
No wonder John wrote: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4 ESV)
Resurrection power dwells WITHIN you!
“…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 ESV)
Resurrection power is WITH you!
“You are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Ephesians 2:10 paraphrased)
Created, ordained, and equipped to do the works of Jesus – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12 ESV)
May this Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday, or whatever else you’d like to call it, find you understanding to an even greater degree “what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church…” (Ephesians 1:18 – 1:22 ESV)
No wonder the early Christ followers turned their world upside down with the power of God.
Doesn’t your world need to witness God’s resurrection power?
I know mine does.
Jan Grace 