Victorious Resurrection

"The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay'" (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).

Every Christian understands that the resurrection of God's one and only Son, is the cornerstone of his or her faith. Without the bodily resurrection of Christ, He would have been just one more good man executed by the Roman authorities. Jesus' victory over sin was completed on the cross; however, his victory over death came when he arose from a borrowed tomb that first Easter morning. Often, we hear claims that he didn't really die, or that his body was replaced with another, or that it was all a hoax or religious hallucination. To believe any of these "explanations" requires a lot of imagination in light of historical evidence to the contrary. Do you think Jesus' twelve disciples would have followed a hoax to the point of giving their lives as martyrs for their faith? I don't think so!

On this Good Friday, we are reminded that the Roman Empire was known then, and throughout history, for perfecting the art of conducting the most agonizing executions. The soldiers knew how to carry out their duty and God used their reputation for success to remove all doubt about Jesus' death. To help insure their own well-being, the soldiers made sure Jesus was dead by thrusting a spear into his side, piercing His heart. If he had not already been dead, the soldiers would also have broken his legs to hasten death.

In addition to its extreme agony and slowness of death, Crucifixion was especially humiliating as its victim hung helplessly on the cross for public viewing. As Jesus allowed Himself to come to earth as a helpless human baby, he voluntarily remained alive through the humiliation, scourging, beatings, bleeding and painful nailing to a cross. But remember; no man could have taken His life without His willingness to lay it down. Jesus allowed himself to be crucified so that his mission could be completed -- to fulfill prophecy and to purchase our redemption.

"Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!" (Isaiah 53:4-5 NLT).

If Jesus had remained dead in that tomb, He would have failed as our Savior. Death would have conquered Him and remained our enemy. There is no doubt in the heart of a Christian that Jesus lives and is 100% victorious! Because Jesus rose from the grave and conquered sin and death, we now have died to our old sinful life and have been given new life in Christ. As Christians, we should be different people since we met Christ. The truth that sets us free is reflected through a changed life.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend as you celebrate our Lord's miraculous and Victorious Resurrection! Hallelujah, HE'S ALIVE!

Love, Jerry & Dotse