I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. – Philippians 3:10
Easter is coming! If you are familiar with Christianity at all, then you know the importance of the resurrection. As followers of Jesus, we celebrate His incarnation; we learn and obey His teachings; we emulate His service; and we are forgiven at the cross. But, surely, our faith comes together at the empty tomb. It is there that we see the full reality of Christ’s birth, life, and death; it is through the resurrection that God’s plan of salvation is displayed in all its glory. Because He rose from the dead, our whole lives are made new. Consider:
The Power of the Resurrection: From Death to Life
Of course, we all know the truth—there is no avoiding death (oh, yeah, and taxes). Sooner or later, death will claim us all. I am not trying to be morbid here. Nor am I simply stating the obvious. If nothing else, the resurrection of Jesus reminds us of the biblical truth: death is the consequence of our sin. The universality of our rejection of God has led to the universality of death as the wages of that sin. Such a power is death! It will eventually get us all—no avoiding it, no hiding, no exception. And, yet…
We see again the power of the resurrection! Even death, as powerful and determined as it is, even death is overcome! And, overcome completely, not just sort of beaten, but totally conquered. Jesus is victorious over it all—and so shall we be. His victory is ours. This is a power, the power of the resurrection, that is experienced by every believer. When have you last thanked God for this power? Do so now.
The Power of the Resurrection: A Transformed Life
The resurrection is not simply a future promise for us, but a power at work within us even today. Yes, we look forward to a future resurrection, based on our Lord’s own, but that power is even now doing great things in and through Jesus’ disciples. What great things might that be? Consider the hold of sin on your life. Consider the ways in which you continue to struggle to be holy. Consider the failure to live up to God’s call in your life. Now, consider the reality that at every moment, in every way, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is powerfully at work in you.
The resurrection of Jesus shows us that God will not just act for us in the future, but that He is acting in us and through us even now. We are being changed! We are no longer what we were! We are being sanctified, made holy through Christ. The power of the resurrection courses through us now, as individuals, and as a church body. The task before us—the task to spread God’s Word throughout Penn Hills and beyond, the task to glorify our Lord in every way—that task is being fulfilled, through the power which emptied Christ’s tomb. Ask God to continually change you from the inside out by the power of the resurrection!
The Power of the Resurrection: Life Amidst Darkness
Finally, consider this—the same power that overcame the crucifixion of Jesus enables us to live faithful lives in this broken world. There is no doubt that suffering exists; no doubt that evil is present in shocking ways; no doubt that unbelief, injustice, wickedness, and a disregard for all things holy surround us every day. Hebron Church is called to such a place. We are to be light in the darkness, a city of righteousness on a hill so that all may see. How is such a thing possible? How might this vivid image become reality? Answer: through the power of the resurrection.
God is at work transforming us, molding us, and directing us to serve Him—not safely cocooned away from evil, but right in the midst of it all. And this is possible because we do not go into this broken world alone, but we go with the life-giving, resurrected Lord; not through our own power, our own strength, but with the power of the resurrection! Are you living by this power or by your own strength? Ask Him now to renew His power within you.
He was raised, and we all will be raised—to the praise of His glory! Happy Resurrection Day! Henry