"He is Not Here"

Easter is one of my favorite holidays. It is such an awesome reminder of the power of salvation for our daily lives.  Why can we hope?  How can we conquer hourly temptations?  Who can give me power to believe that the Gospel is true and real?  When in history did Jesus Christ prove that He was the Messiah? 

 In the Gospels, we read four, sweet words that help us answer these questions…”He is Not Here…”  Why?  Because, He has RISEN!  He has conquered death and sin forever, He has overcome the grave, and the tombstone has been rolled back.  Christ walks among His people now.  What a hope!  What joy this brings to our every thought!

John Piper writes the following on the Resurrection:

“What has God done in raising Jesus from the dead? Here are a few biblical answers.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death will never have any dominion over him again.

Because of the resurrection, Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God.

Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning and guarantee of our resurrection.

We were raised with Jesus so that our true life is hidden now in him.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we are born again to a living hope.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we now enjoy his personal fellowship with us always.

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, he has a name above every name and every knee will bow to him.  

The resurrection of Jesus means that Jesus kept his word.

The resurrection of Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures and the promises of God.

Because Jesus was raised, he has received the promise of the Spirit and poured out the Spirit on us.  

Because Jesus is raised, he can still heal the way he did on earth.
Because of the resurrection, he gives repentance and forgiveness of sins.

Because Jesus was raised, he is now appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.

God secured our justification by raising Jesus from the dead.

The risen Christ takes the place for us that the law once had so that we can bear fruit for God.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, he now has the glory for which we were made. Our ultimate destiny is to see him as he is.

May the risen Lord Jesus himself arouse your sincere mind to new depths of worship and allegiance and joy.”

 I pray that these truths minister to you both personally and corporately as you celebrate Easter tomorrow!