HE IS RISEN!

“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

Perhaps more than any other holiday we celebrate as Christians, Easter is the pinnacle. Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just another moment in history – it’s the cornerstone of our faith. By His declaring victory over the grave not only did He declare victory over sin and death, but He also opened the doorway to eternal life with Him! Love was victorious! Because of that we are no longer bound by the grave.

Take a moment to really reflect on that. We have all seen portrayals of the crucifixion, and it is always horrible. Isaiah 52:14 NIV said,  “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness.” Read that again. He was unrecognizable as a human. That’s how much He was hated and yet that’s how much He loves us. To endure what no one could possibly endure. Suffering that is incomprehensible to you or me. And still He asked God to forgive for “they know not what they do,” as He was hanging on the cross in agony.

 The cross marks the beginning of a new covenant between God and people, not based on the law or sacrifices, but on the grace and faith in Jesus. Jesus knew what His mission on earth was. He knew this was the only way humanity could be reconciled with God. It’s called substitutionary atonement – Jesus died in humanity’s place. It was part of God’s eternal plan and fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

Imagine just a week prior He was riding into Jerusalem, and the people were waving palms and singing “Hosanna!” in joy. Their King had come! He was going to free them from Rome. But He came riding in on a donkey not a warhorse. He came to conquer sin and death, not overthrow the Roman empire. They shouted “Hosanna!” on Sunday, and “Crucify Him!" on Friday. He knew that moment that seemed triumphant would lead to suffering, rejection and ultimately the cross. He still did it.

We think with our finite minds. Maybe you think you could imagine what that kind of love is like. Maybe you think “I would do the same for my family.” Perhaps. But could you suffer like that for people you don’t know, will never know, people who do terrible things? Jesus didn’t just die for the kind or the religious. He died for the broken, the lost, the angry, the addicted, the violent the selfish…for ALL of us. Because His love is deeper than our worst moments. His grace is greater than our sin. Because He willingly went to the cross, it doesn’t mean that sin doesn’t matter-Jesus took sin so seriously He died to deal with it. It means NO ONE is beyond redemption.

Grace is crazy like that. It goes where we probably wouldn’t. But that’s the whole point of Easter. He gave love that gave everything, His life, even to the underserving. To you and me. That’s a gift that should never be taken for granted. That’s a gift we did not earn, but He gives regardless and in spite of who we are. He has given us the promise of eternal life with Him all because of His sacrifice for us. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.

PRAYER

Dear Father,

Today we celebrate the victory that changed everything. You conquered sin, shattered the grave, and rose in glory. Fill our hearts with resurrection joy today. Help us live boldly, love deeply and shine Your light in a world that needs You. Remind us daily that You are alive and because of that we are never without purpose, peace, or hope.

In Your powerful and living name we pray,

Amen