04/08/2023
“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive forevermore”. Revelation 1:18
This single sentence speaks to the most significant event in the history of mankind which distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. The miracle of Jesus’s resurrection is the pinnacle of Christian faith that will be celebrated by Christians across the globe tomorrow on Easter Sunday.
For believers in Jesus Christ, the wondrous and awe-filled manifestation of God’s power that raised Jesus back to life is indeed worthy of our worship and our praise. Is there nothing greater? Yes, because there is more to the story!
The full significance of Jesus’ resurrection is held within a simple five-letter word in Jesus’ declaration in Revelations 1:18: ‘alive’. It was in His living, that a living inheritance was made available to all who would believe and trust in Him. Celebration of His living wasn’t intended to be isolated to a single day within the year but celebrated every moment of our lives. Jesus spoke of this life when
He declared in John 10:10, “I am come that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, until it overflows)”. Let’s take a closer look at this living abundance.
A Living Savior – His death on the cross purchased a complete redemption of spirit, soul, and body and the forgiveness of sins. His resurrection to life provided victory over death. The gospel of Luke records that when the women came to Jesus’s grave on Easter morning to finish preparing Jesus’ body, per Jewish custom, they were greeted by two angels who asked them “why seek you the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24:3). As the author of the Book of Acts, Luke also records in Acts 1:3, that “He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God”. The Apostle Paul wrote to his young disciple Timothy, “…we trust in the living God, who is Savior of all men…”, (1 Timothy 4:10).
A Living Spirit – A living power to enable you to live a life in Christ full of victory—not defeat—was provided through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16, Jesus promised His disciples that although it was needful for Him to leave, He would ask the Father to send “...another comforter, that He may remain with you forever…”, (John 14:16). The Amplified translation further describes the Comforter as ‘…Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Standby…Teacher…the Spirit of Truth’.
“The Spirit gives life in Christ Jesus. And the law of the Spirit has set me free from the law of wrong things, and the law of death”, (Romans 8:2, Weymouth translation).
“The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit, assuring us that we are the children of God”, (Romans 8:16).
A Living Hope – Biblical hope is defined as a confident, concrete expectation that is found in Christ.
“Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us His extravagant mercy. For His fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”, (1 Peter 1:3, Passion translation).
“Therefore, if any person be in Christ, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come”, (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Are you in Christ? Look back to the passage in 1 Timothy 4:10: ‘…we trust in the living God, who is Savior of all men, …’. Even if you’ve not put your faith and trust in Him as your Savior before now, He still died for you! He still lives for you! You still have a living inheritance waiting to be received! This is the full victory of Jesus’ resurrection that’s to be celebrated!
You can start your new life right now by saying the words below. Then, you will be able to join the celebration tomorrow and every day for the rest of your life!
I acknowledge and confess with my lips that Jesus is Lord, and in my heart, I believe that God raised Him from the dead, and I will be saved. For with my heart, I believe, and with my mouth, I confess (declare openly and speak out freely my faith and confirm my salvation, (Romans 10:9-10).
