Holy Week: Sunday, April 17
It’s Easter morning, and we have reason to celebrate! Today, we are reminded that there is more to the story than Jesus going to the cross on our behalf. There is more to the story than the world's Savior dying for our sins. We turned the page, and three days later, the tomb was found empty (Matthew 28:6, Mark 26:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:9). Just like He had said, Christ had risen from the dead!
This is outrageously good news. More than that, this “gospel” is truly the best news in all existence. Today, we remember that Jesus did what could not. Jesus lived the perfect life, died in our place, canceled our debt, and rose to new life. Today, we can confidently declare that our Savior is alive (Revelation 1:18)! He is seated on his throne (Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 8:1)! He rules over all creation (Psalm 103:19, Ephesians 1:21-22)! And He does all this so that we too might have life, eternal (John 3:16).
For the believer, the resurrection of Jesus signifies that death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14). Our sin has been paid for (1 Peter 3:18). The grave has no victory over us (1 Corinthians 15:55). All that we fear is swallowed up in Him (Isaiah 25:8).
If you trust that Jesus is Lord, confess that He died for your sin, and believe He rose from the dead, this victory is yours (Romans 10:9-10). United with Him in His death and resurrection, believers are truly set free (Romans 6:4-7, 17-18). The chains of sin and death no longer bind us. This is the good news we celebrate Easter. And it is the news that should shape our whole lives.
If Jesus is our life (Colossians 3:4), we are no longer our own (1 Corinthians 6:10), and we are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), then everything should change. Every day should be a resurrection day. This doesn’t mean it will be easy, instantaneous, or comfortable. Life in Christ will not change everything the way we ourselves would want it to. In fact, this new life will be filled with difficulty and suffering (John 16:33, 1 Peter 4:12). But, I assure you that this new life will be worth it.
Regardless of what might be going on in your life, you can have hope and joy because of Easter. So, this Easter, share the good news that Jesus has risen and there is true hope in Him. Share that His death and resurrection truly change everything. Share the hope that you have. Tell this story from the rooftops and balconies, from front porches and front lawns. Please share it on social media and status updates. In a world that desperately needs good news, you have the best news of all.
Jesus Is Alive
Theme: Life
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10
Story:
On Sunday, some women who were friends of Jesus visited the tomb where He was buried. However, the big stone had been rolled away when they got there, and the tomb was empty. An angel told the women that Jesus was not there because He was alive! Jesus had come back to life, just as He promised. The women ran to tell the disciples the amazing news, which was filled with joy. Jesus, Himself appeared to the women and the disciples and spent more time with them before returning to heaven. Jesus is still alive today. When we believe in Him and trust that He paid for our sins on the cross, we can be forgiven and have eternal life. Jesus promised that He would come back one day, and everyone who trusts Him will be with Him forever!
Questions:
How did Jesus’s friends react when they saw Him alive on Easter Sunday?
How can you celebrate Jesus’s resurrection today—or every day?