Dear reader, I would like us to meditate on these truths below as we think of Christ’s resurrection….
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” – 1 Corinth.15:19-20
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” – Romans.8:11
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” – 1 Peter.1:3-4
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John.16:33
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” – 1 John.5:4
Christ is indeed risen and sitting at the right hand of the Father now, but what does His resurrection mean to us, 2000 years later?
Christ’s resurrection has given us 2 things:
1. for the here and now – we sometimes live such defeated and sad lives, because we forget the power that is given to us through Christ’s resurrection. We feel powerless. Yet, this amazing truth of His resurrection extends even to our daily lives now. We no longer need to be bound by fear or sin, because He has already defeated them on the cross. “having cancelled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross! And having disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians.2:14-15) We can now live and overcoming life here on earth, because He has already overcome! We are fighting defeated enemies, so the victory is ours. We get this power through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and girds us to fight the good fight; we are given all the resources, but it’s up to us to use them.
2. for the future – hope of our own resurrection, to those of us who believe in Him. We all don’t like to think about death and what might follow afterwards, but for us Christians death is only the door to the home we long to be, with our Lord and Saviour. Christ being the first to rise, He has shown us the glory that awaits those who believe in Him. His resurrection makes us strong, His resurrection makes us joyful, His resurrection is our hope! All glory to the risen King!!!
hope4theworld 