Risen

Introduction

What do Buddha, Confucius, Muhammad, and Joseph Smith have in common?

• They are all the central figures of major religions.
• They all have millions of followers.
• And… they are all dead.

How is Christianity any different? How does our Savior differ?

Jesus is ALIVE!

John 2:19

“Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’”

Matthew 28:1-8

“Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

Reflection

Beautiful day!! Praise the name of Jesus, He is risen!

The entirety of the Christian faith depends on this day and the fact that Christ rose from the grave, defeating death, and providing freedom from death to all who call on His name.

The sting of death is no longer a fear for the believer. We have assurance that it has no power over our lives any longer. We can live in faith and not in fear—faith that no matter what we face on this earth and in this life, thanks to the work of Christ, we already have victory, and this life is no longer our focus.

Acts 20:24 sums up our new life, purpose, and focus:
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Praise the name of Jesus, the only One who saves!