Resurrection

Last Sunday Pastor Laura brought her closing message out of the life of Elijah, Faith Through Fire. She talked about Elijah hiding in the cave, after he had run away from Jezebel. As Elijah cowered in a cave, God asked him a question, “What are you doing here Elijah?”

She said that often God asks us questions in order to change our perspective.

It is early Resurrection Sunday morning. The women who had been waiting through the Sabbath to bring their spices and oil to anoint the body of Jesus are finally able to leave. “They came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared… They went in but did not find the body of the LORD Jesus…They were perplexed….” [Luke 24:1-5a HCSB]

Suddenly they were confronted by two men in dazzling clothes who asked them a question – “Why are you looking for the living among the dead.” [Luke 24:5b]

If ever there was a question that would change perspective! They came seeking the dead. They came to anoint a body. They came grieving and mourning loss and defeat.

Instead, they found life! They found rejoicing. They found victory!

We all must go to the cross. We all must surrender our lives there – not to a dead Savior, but to a Risen LORD. Our perspective has changed for all eternity.

He’s not in a tomb. He is alive. And we are alive with Him! Amen & Amen!

Job asked a question for which everyone seeks an answer. “If a man dies, shall he live again?”   [Job 14:14 NIV]

John gave us the answer when he reported the events of Sunday following the crucifixion.

“In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you!’ Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” [John 20:19-20 HCSB]

“So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

The One who was dead and buried, now was alive in their midst, still bearing the evidence of His crucifixion on His hands and side.

Later, Paul would tell the church at Corinth just what seeing the LORD Jesus that first Resurrection Sunday means for all of us.

“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” [1 Cor 15:20-22 HCSB]

“So in Christ, all will be made alive.”

Because He lives, I live. Because He lives, you live. Jesus our Christ took back the keys of death and the grave and set free all those who place their faith in Him.

It matters not how many times I have read or said or written … there are seven words that still thrill my soul!

 Jesus is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!