“The resurrection of Christ is the grand proof of Christ’s divine mission… The resurrection of Christ is the top-stone of the work of redemption. It proved that He finished the work He came to do, and, as our Substitute, had overcome the grave. The resurrection of Christ is a miracle that no infidel can explain away. Men may [endlessly resent and dismiss] Balaam’s donkey, and Jonah in the whale’s belly, if they please, but until they can prove that Christ did not rise again we need not be moved… As the grave could not detain the Head, so it shall not detain the members. Well may we say with Peter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
J.C. Ryle
Listen
Matthew 28:1–9
28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Reflect
You will recall that on Good Friday we read, “Jesus knew that his mission was now finished…” His part in the securing of a people for God was finished when He breathed His last breath on the cross.
And the work of the Trinity continued as the wrath of the Father toward sin was unleashed upon Jesus and satisfied by His death.
Having no sin of His own, death could not hold Jesus. Therefore, three days later—TODAY—the stone was rolled away, as the Holy Spirit raised Jesus to life never to die again.
And for all who put their trust in Jesus—believing that what He did He did for them—His resurrection becomes their own. Physical death for the believer is not “the end” any more than it was for Jesus. Because Jesus rose from the grave, our physical death is nothing less than the beginning of life as God always intended it to be, and as it will be forever.
He is risen! He is risen indeed! And His resurrection power is at work right now in you to make you more, and more, and more like Jesus. Because this world needs Him, more than ever.
Pray
Allow the following doctrinal truths of salvation to prompt thanksgiving in your Easter prayer today…
- Our sins are forgiven
- We are justified, declared righteous by God
- We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit gives us a new heart
- The Holy Spirit indwells us
- We are united to Jesus
- We are adopted into the family of God
- We are reconciled to God
- We have peace with God
- We are transferred from the kingdom of darkness (death) to the Kingdom of light (life)
- We live for the purpose we were made for—to help others find wholehearted life in Jesus
- We will never be separated from the love of Christ…by anything visible or invisible
Follow
Join us for our Easter Celebration at 10:00am this morning!!
