Jesus died at 3 pm on Friday, and He rose from the dead early on Sunday morning. Many believed that it was before sunrise that Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus fulfilled what He promised to rise from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion and death. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James (the mother of Jesus), and Salome went to the tomb on Sunday morning after the Sabbath was over to anoint Jesus' body with spices. As they arrived at the tomb, they saw that the stone was already rolled away. When they entered the tomb, the body of Jesus was gone, and they only saw a young man (an angel) dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The angel told them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.'" The women fled from the tomb, frightened and bewildered. (Mark 16:1-8).
In order for our salvation to be completed, Jesus has to rise from the dead. Jesus' death paid the penalty for our sins, and His resurrection gave us a new life in Him. Jesus conquered the sting of death through His resurrection. The power of death upon us has been overcome by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. We have everlasting life because our Lord Jesus is alive. Even if our bodies die, our souls will continue to live and be given new heavenly bodies that will never die. We have wonderful hope because our Lord Jesus is alive. Right after Jesus' resurrection, He would restore and encourage His disciples to become His witnesses and continue the work and ministries that our Lord Jesus Christ had started.
Our Lord Jesus is not dead, but He is alive, and He lives in us. Be encouraged today that we serve a God that is not dead but is alive. The new life that we received in Him is no longer under the bondage of sin but of the righteousness of Christ. We can now say no to sin and say yes to the righteousness of Christ. Our salvation is complete because of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully and meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speaks to you).
Why is the resurrection of my Lord Jesus important? How does my Lord Jesus' resurrection affect me personally? How should I live in this new life that God has given me?
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I have a new life in you because of the resurrection of my Lord Jesus. I have an eternal hope that even when my body dies, my soul will be with you forever with a new heavenly body. Regardless of the challenges I am going through today, they are all temporary, and you will take care of me forever. Thank you for the wonderful eternal hope that I have in you. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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