He is risen. He is risen, indeed!

Luke 24:34 (ESV)

Saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

As we look at the shocking picture of Jesus’ pathetic lifeless body hanging on the cross. It might be difficult for us to take in that picture. Well, the good news is that it does not end there with us glorifying a decaying body. Psalm 30: 3 is a prophetic pronouncement that, Jesus will not remain in the pit, is fulfilled.

The depressing dark picture slowly is beginning to take on some color as the sun’s rays come streaming in. Psalm 30: 5 is a promise that we might spend the night weeping but there is joy in the morning. A shocking and unexpected event had occurred. Jesus is risen, he had literally risen from the dead. The frightened disciples are now unfazed and unafraid; he had risen indeed!

This led to the confident proclamation of the disciples that if Christ had not been raised from the dead all their preaching and teaching is in vain (I Corinthians 15: 13-14). We can easily conceive of a religion like Christianity without the resurrection. With just the life and teachings of Jesus it would still look good. There was no need for the disciples to include the resurrection. The only reason they did was because the event did actually occur.

However, now in the light of Jesus’ resurrection, his life and teachings take on renewed meaning! He becomes a standard for mankind. If Jesus is risen his teaching is no longer good advice but is the key to the good life. The invisible one we pray to is really out there. We no longer guess. We know! Now that we know, it is a sobering reminder that we humans can actually communicate with God. That is why our relationship is not dependent on the clause, “if you are the son of God” rather it is “remember me.”

This morning as you celebrate Easter Sunday, remember, that Jesus is really alive and that He remembers you and is willing to accompany you along life’s journey. We need no longer resign to death, suffering and failure instead let us look forward to resurrection possibilities in our circumstances.

Dear Lord, Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for the victory and power in your Name. Thank you that you hold the keys over death, that by your might, Jesus was raised from the grave, paving the way for us to have new life with you. Thank you that you had plan, that you made a way. Shine your light in us, through us, over us. May we make a difference in this world, for your glory and purposes. Set you way before us. May all your plans succeed. We may reflect your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs your presence and healing. In the resurrected Name of Jesus, Amen.