Are You Living in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

April 17, 2022 1 Comment

Are You Living in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

By Brooke Holt

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, The Collect for Easter Sunday, Year C)

Last week, Palm Sunday began the glorious celebration of Jesus coming into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds surrounded him, laying down palm branches and crying out, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38) What a glorious day for Jesus, for his disciples, and for those who recognized him as the promised Messiah.

Just five days later, the crowds cried out a very different refrain: “Crucify, crucify him!” (Luke 23:21) And Herod and Pontius Pilate reluctantly agreed to grant their request. Though he had committed no sin and had never broken Roman or Jewish law, Jesus was hung on a cross and crucified as a criminal. But thankfully, death was not the end of the story.

Today, we celebrate the most glorious day ever—the day when sin, death, and Satan were overcome. On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave, displaying the power of God over all things in heaven and earth. We are called to celebrate this glorious day with great joy in all that Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection.

Jesus overcame the grave—for himself and for all who put their trust in his salvific work. And his victory is not just for the day of our deaths but for today and every day. Through the Holy Spirit, we have that same power that raised Jesus from the dead living inside of us (Romans 8:11). We, too, are raised from death to life and invited to live the resurrected life of Christ here on this earth: “in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Are you living in that resurrected life? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your inner being from death to life? Are you rejoicing in the gift of victory over sin, death, and all the forces of evil?

Today is a glorious day! Let’s celebrate with great joy all the gifts given to us by the Father through the Son. May we embrace the joy, embrace the gifts—but most of all, embrace the Giver. May our great joy lead us day by day to live the resurrected life together in Christ.

Reflection:

Are you living in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Are you claiming your victory over sin, death, and Satan? Celebrate God’s mercy and grace to you in the cross—and share your great joy with others! We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Related Resource:

 

The Resurrected Life: Making All Things New - The Bible promises that those who are in Christ are "new creatures." But how does that transformation take place? This unique Easter-season small group Bible study provides a space in which we can discover what it truly means to live a new life. As we listen, we'll learn how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything - for us. Begin the journey to new life today!

 

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