When I think about Easter, I always think about the gift of my family getting together and enjoying a nice meal in the afternoon. I think about the gift of the look upon my grandchildren’s faces, as they look frantically in our back yard for hidden eggs, filled with candy. But all of this happens after we return from church, and from celebrating the greatest gift of all—the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Q: So why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important to us as Christian men and women?
A: Because it validates Jesus Christ as God, and it is absolutely paramount to our entire Christian faith.
The Apostle Paul spoke this very truth to the church of Corinth, saying, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Cor. 15:12-19).
So if Jesus didn’t resurrect from the dead, then the whole Christian faith would be a cruel hoax, and all of the Apostles would be liars. Those who have died believing in Jesus would have no hope, and there would be no forgiveness for anyone’s sins. Thank our Heavenly Father that this is not the case though. Jesus came to this earth to die for our sins, and to make a way for us to be reconciled unto God—He said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
And so we can share this great news about Jesus Christ this Easter Sunday, and continue sharing it for the rest of our lives. And as we do, we, like Jesus, can ask those who hear the gospel message, “Do you believe this?”
I want to encourage you to meditate upon these things today.
STUDY QUESTION: According to Jesus’ words, as recorded in John 11:25-26, what did Jesus promise those who believed that He was the resurrection and the life?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?
APPLICATION: Let’s share this great gift with others so they may know Jesus intimately and eternally.
LET’S PRAY: Father, thank You for allowing Your Son Jesus to die upon the cross for us. Thank You for giving us a way to be reconciled unto You. Help us to share this great message with others. In Jesus’ precious name, amen…
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