Scripture:
1 Corinthians 15:12-20, 51-58
(read the whole chapter if you have time)
Reflection:
When we celebrate Christmas, we often say that we cannot do it properly without thinking of Easter. And it is true. Whilst the culture we live in makes a great deal of Christmas, really for us, Easter is much more important. Christmas is, if you like, a mid-way point in the story of God’s relationship with humankind, but Easter is the culmination of all God’s plans – the crowning glory, the solution to an intractable problem which had beset that relationship for thousands of years.
This is the real joy of Easter. It is a tragic story, ending with the joy of the resurrection of Jesus.
So, how do we think about Easter? Do we just think of it from a historical point of view? Or perhaps what it means for us in the future? How much thought do we give to the impact the resurrection of Jesus has on our daily lives NOW?
Looking Back
It is important that we relive the historical story of Easter – remembering the awful events of Good Friday and the joyful events of Easter Sunday. When we do, we remember that Jesus both suffered and died for all of us. The curse of death that should have fallen on the whole of humankind, instead fell on the Saviour.
Hebrews 2:9: …we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for every one of us. And because of that, we can say that everything necessary for our salvation is done. Jesus said: I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
The problem with stopping there is that we could say ‘Well, everything’s done, I don’t need to worry.” And get on with our lives without a further thought, without it having any effect on our day to day lives.
Looking Forward
But the Bible tells us that the historical resurrection of Jesus has implications for our future.
Because he has been raised, we will also be raised to a new life in the coming kingdom. Listen to the words of 1 Cor. 15:20-23 …Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Are you looking forward to that amazing day? It is going to be incredible to come into the presence of Jesus – the One we have only ever known by faith. It’ll be a moment when all our hopes are fulfilled.
And yet, if we limit ourselves to looking back, and looking forward, then we will miss the blessings of being children of God in the present age – children of the resurrection, as Luke puts it in his gospel (Luke 20:36)
Today
In the sermon on Easter Sunday (4th April - which you can find on the UBC website), I spoke about new life, new hope and a new beginning, all of which we can have NOW because of Jesus resurrection.
But what about victory? In that great chapter about resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15, come these words: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’ ‘Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (vv.55-57). From a situation which looked like defeat, Jesus won a great victory. By his resurrection he showed that he is stronger than death, defeating its’ power forever. And we share in that victory if we trust him.
And what about the Holy Spirit? It was following his resurrection and return to glory that Jesus poured out on his disciples the Holy Spirit. His presence with us every moment of every day, sanctifying, strengthening and transforming us.
And what about assurance, justification, and healing… space does not allow!
Praise God for the resurrection. Without it we would be truly lost.
Prayer:
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 forever. Amen.
Songs:
He has risen – Noel Richards
Food for Thought:
Take time today to meditate on the implications of the resurrection of Jesus.