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Resurrection Sunday

Hello, friends, and Happy Resurrection Sunday! I decided to make a later post for today since it is such a beautiful celebration of the heartbeat of Christianity. I hope this post encourages you, brings joy, and highlights a new perspective for you this Easter Sunday!

I want to begin with Mark 16:6 which reveals the greatest miracle ever, “And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here…’”

Jesus lived a perfect life on earth but died a criminal’s death so that the gap between a sinful humanity and a holy God could be bridged by His sacrifice. He was a King seated on His throne in Heaven, yet came down to earth. He came down from Heaven to feel all of the emotions we feel: pain, heartbreak, betrayal, rejection, grief, anger, confusion, temptation, abandonment, etc. He humbled Himself to come down to earth to be an example of how to live so we could one day be with Him in Heaven. He came to relate to us when we experienced hardships so He could offer compassion.

Scripture tells us that Jesus, being both fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life on earth (1 Peter 2:22-23). With Jesus being completely sinless, He was the only One who could bear the sins of humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us He who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. Despite His purity and perfection, He died by crucifixion, a common form of execution used for criminals.

The greatest thing about this story is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The truth is that there is beauty beyond ashes. There is life beyond death. There is hope beyond the grave. This resurrection is not only a historical event, but it is a cornerstone of our faith, symbolizing victory over sin and death. Romans 6:4b-5, “...Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.”

This truth assures us as believers of our own resurrection and eternal life in communion with God. It reinforces the promise that, through faith in Christ, eternal life and restoration are freely offered, making not just a pivotal moment in history but a transformative hope for humanity. Jesus’ resurrection characterizes the invitation to live in grace, renewal, peace, joy, and assurance of a future that outshines the darkest moments of our past.

Something the youth pastor at my church says a lot to the students is that there would not be a resurrection if there was not a crucifixion. Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, but His sacrifice led to the ultimate victory over death. The crucifixion was not the end but a necessary passage to the resurrection.

This teaches us that life’s most profound triumphs often come through challenges and sacrifices. Just as the resurrection could not have occurred without the crucifixion, our personal victories often require us to navigate through difficulties and endure hardships.

The greatest thing we celebrate today is that Jesus’ crucifixion did not stop there. He defeated sin, claimed victory over hell, and conquered death. There is hope for humanity through the power of resurrection. Today, we revisit this forever change, but this is a celebration that Christians can partake in every day of the year. He is risen. Death has no victory over Our Lord.

I want to also express that it was our sins that held Jesus on that cross. He bore the weight of all shame and guilt so that He – the only perfect human to walk this earth – could offer the opportunity for new beginnings. He was the perfect sacrifice, and He willingly went to the cross, now He graciously sits on His throne awaiting our arrival to meet Him face to face.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.” I think about every ounce of pain Jesus must have been in on that crucifixion day. All of the bullying, laughing, mocking, and cheering for this King to die a criminal’s death. And He did it for me. He did it for. Not because He had to, but because He loves us so much, He didn’t want Heaven without us.

I had a conversation with a man and his wife from my church. He asked me, “Did Jesus take anything with Him when He ascended from earth?” I confidently said, “No, it’s impossible to take anything earthly with you.” The man corrected me, “He carried His nail wounds with Him.“

As heartbreaking as it is to know that all imperfect people were to cause of His death, His wounds serve as a powerful testament to His sacrifice for our sins and His victory over death. The presence of these wounds in His resurrected body underscores the depth of Jesus’ love and the extend of His sacrifice, serving as a reminder of the cost of redemption and the profound connection between suffering and salvation. By His wounds, we are healed.

I mentioned this verse before in previous posts, but I just love it so much – Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” One of Jesus’ very last words on earth before His death was Him asking God to forgive those who were murdering Him (Luke 23:34). His level of compassion, forgiveness, and the fulfillment of His mission of salvation, even in this circumstance, is not natural. The love He continues to pour out to humanity is a beacon of hope.

In my last post, I did a study on redemption and grace. I want to highlight Ephesians 2:4-5, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”

The resurrection of Jesus is foundational to the concepts of grace and redemption. Without His sacrifice and His resurrection, His death would not have achieved its ultimate purpose, which is the redemption of humanity from sin and offering God’s grace to believers. 1 Corinthians 15:14-17, Paul writes, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead. But He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

Wow. That last part of verse 17, “you are still in your sins”. Doesn’t this scripture show the importance of the resurrection? Without the resurrection, the promise of eternal life would not be possible.

Same chapter, verses 20-21, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.”

Amen. He has been raised from the dead, and 2,000 years later, we are still celebrating His victory. I also want to read 1 Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds, you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.“

The love that is behind Jesus’ mission to bring salvation to a broken world enslaved by sin is incomprehensible. The nails that bound Him to the cross did not keep Him there; His love for us did. And the good news we celebrate today and every day forward is that He no longer remains in the grave, but in Heaven, waiting for us to join Him.

I hope you experienced the Lord’s love and the joy that comes in worshipping a God who is indeed alive! I hope your Easter was amazing, friend!