He is risen! He is risen indeed!
Two thousand years ago, the resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything. After spending three days in the grave, Jesus conquered sin and death and was physically resurrected from the dead.
This is more than a Sunday School story. It is the very foundation of our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:17, Paul says, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins.” Without the resurrection, we have no faith, no forgiveness of sins, and no eternity with God.
As we begin the Easter season, we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. We often place a great deal of emphasis on the death of Christ, and for good reason, but are we also placing the same importance on His resurrection?
The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. It changed us and it changed the world. Over the next six weeks, we’re going to study the impact of the resurrection.
The resurrection changed us physically, as we will one day experience the resurrection of our physical bodies, the same way Christ’s physical body was resurrected. It changed us spiritually, as we walk in newness of life, free from the bondage of sin and free to live for God’s glory. The resurrection changed us legally, as we are no longer counted as enemies of God. The resurrection changed us mentally by renewing our minds with the likeness of Christ. We are changed socially as we have unity with one another regardless of race, gender, social status, or class. And the resurrection changed us eternally, securing our place in heaven and giving us eternity with our Savior.
As we study the resurrection, our prayer is that God will meet us. We pray that God will speak to each of us intimately and personally, showing us the impact of the resurrection on each of our lives. May we proclaim, “He is risen indeed!” not only on Easter Sunday but every day of our lives.
____________________________________________________
We are looking forward to beginning our next study with you on MONDAY!
Grab your new journal today in our online store!
Looking for our online Bible study group to join? You can find our Love God Greatly Online Bible Study group here!
__________________________________________
Please help me understand something. Why does the church celebrate Easter? Seriously. It is my understanding that the word only appears in the KJV & only once. Acts 12:4 “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” An interlinear search shows that the word translated as ‘Easter’ is pascha, meaning “the feast of Passover, the Passover lamb.” Millions of believer read through the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection at this time every year. And every time they read that all of this happened at Passover, and yet they completely disregard this fact. They choose instead to take out words & add their own, choosing to celebrate something completely different. Isn’t that the very thing that Jesus spoke against – “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—” (Mark 7:7-8a). Even Paul said, “Beware lest anyone [a]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8) When one chooses to follow what Scripture actually says, you come up with a completely different holiday – one that Jesus & the apostles actually kept – as well as different days to celebrate. How can we, as believers, actually dismiss what Scripture says & do something that men have dictated? And, if we do this, are we really & truly following Christ – or men?
Sister Lisa…there are many things we as Christians celebrate. I celebrate Sabbath! Maybe you do not, but you are still my sister. I worship God on the 7th Day, as I believe he commanded. I celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and the 4th of July and so on. And I celebrate the “meaning” of what many call Easter. I do not celebrate it with egg hunts, rabbit or chicken decor. I celebrate with a sort of somber heart what Jesus did for me on the Cross …He took my sin and died in my place. I celebrate his victory over death …I celebrate his resurrection …because through it he also guaranteed my victory over death as a faithful follower. It does not matter, to me, what day it is … because in all honesty, this is something … this event, this victory is something we celebrate all the time.
May our loving Lord bless us as we draw near to Him in the study of Scriptures and take a closer look at the resurrection. Your sister in Christ …