New life has sprung forth. Jesus is alive, and He brings the hope of new life to us. When Mary and the others headed towards the tomb where they laid the body of Jesus, they had no idea the great message they would bring to all who would hear, Jesus is alive! He has risen as He said.
Jesus was not just a prophet although He prophesied. Jesus was not just a teacher although He taught many great lessons. Jesus was God who came in the flesh to redeem us from our sins. The grave could not keep him.
He said, “I have the power to lay down my life and I have the power to take it up again.” He told Martha, as she mourned the death of her brother, Lazarus, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live,” John 11:25 King James Version.
Through his resurrection, He proved He had the power to justify all who trust in him.
“Now it was not written for [Abraham’s] sake alone, that it [Righteousness] was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it [Righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification,” Romans 4:23-25.
God is now pleased to exchange our sinful, broken estate with Christ’s flawless righteousness when we believe (trust, have faith) in Jesus.
“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39.
Now the hope of new life, in this life and in the life to come, belongs to us.
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [resurrect] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you,” Romans 8:11.
Do you have this promise of new life today? Does this Lord’s Day mean more than Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies to you? If not, you can receive new life, now and for all eternity, today. All you need to do is ask Jesus to come into your heart, forgive you of your sins, and help you live for him.
“[I]f thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:9-10.
The gift of what we call Easter, our Holy Resurrection Day, is the offer of New Life.
Won’t you please receive Jesus, God’s unspeakable gift, today?
The joy and hope this day gives are beyond description. Joy at knowing our sins are cleansed and the hope of knowing we will spend eternity with Jesus. Beautiful words, Carla.