Easter

Christians all over the world, and for the past 2,000 years, have remembered Jesus’ cruel death on Good Friday. It seemed as though God was indifferent to, or lacked power over, evil people’s intentions. Yet the most intense suffering was to be transformed into pure joy on Easter Sunday with Jesus being raised from the dead – not just in spirit, but bodily resurrected. His body was missing from the tomb by dawn on the Sunday following His martyrdom on the Friday.

Matthew 28:5-10  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (NIV)

Jesus was the first fruits of bodily resurrection following death – real and final death. He has gone before us and prepares a place for us to be with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, forever. God the Father is the One we will one day see face to face, impossible for all except Christ, this side of death.

John 6:46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.  (NIV) 

1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (NIV) 

As we remember Christ’s death, let us know that His death was necessary to redeem us from death, sin and Satan. Know that in Jesus’ death we see God’s mercy and forgiveness of our sins as we seek Him, repent of sin and believe in Him for our full redemption.

God bless the world this Easter.