“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.” 1 Cor. 15.55-57
All across the world today, people are doing one of two things—either they are celebrating the resurrected Christ, or they are not. Even among those who celebrate, there are different levels of “knowing,” different stages of “understanding,” and different phases of commitment.
Some folks are “all in,” walking with Christ daily, seeking to do His will, knowing, loving, and learning from Him. They are committed Christians following the way of the Master the best they know how. Others might be more nominal Christians, showing up to worship a few times a year, believing in a God who is real but distant. And of course, there are many unbelievers or those who worship other gods and follow other religions who do not acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. Some do not know the significance of this day—which is why we must continue to take the Gospel to the nations.
But for those of us within the church, who have experienced His love, redemption, and grace, we find Resurrection Sunday worth celebrating. It’s not optional; it’s imperative. Not only do we want to celebrate, we must! We are compelled to acknowledge and rejoice in the amazing work that Jesus did for us upon the cross. We cannot help but speak about what we have seen and heard. The stories of the Gospel are our stories. The stories of the lost being found, the blind given sight, the lame walking, and the sinners brought back to the fold are our own examples of hope, healing, and deliverance.
We are the saved. We have been redeemed, not because we are worthy but because we are desperate. The brokenness with which we once approached the cross was turned from shame into glory, and now we walk in newness of life. Easter for us is a sign of our own new birth. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, but so did we. His defeat of death upon the cross is our victory as well.
If you find yourself in this category, then press on! But if you find yourself anything less, pray. Come to the cross. Realize that Christ wants to save you, heal you, love, and redeem you. He will wash away your shame and sin and make you a new creation. You can experience life-saving hope! Salvation can become your middle name. For the blood of Jesus can radically transform your life from this day forward.
In 1738, the Rev. John Wesley, while listening to the reading of Martin Luther’s preface to the Book of Romans, came to his own faith-saving experience. And he was already a minister! But he had not experienced the fullness of God’s Spirit and God’s salvation. This is what he said: “While he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” From that point on, John Wesley’s ministry changed. He moved from head to heart and experienced God’s grace for himself.
This Easter, this Resurrection Sunday—I pray you find yourself filled with God’s Holy Spirit as you experience the saving grace of Jesus. His blood upon the cross can redeem your life. Your decision is to believe, to pray, to respond, to ask, to belong, to seek God through a prayer of your heart in which you choose to follow the Lord of Life. And once you make this decision to follow Christ, your life will never be the same again.
“O Lord God, thank you for saving me. It was the summer of 1986 when I gave my life to you, Jesus. When I acknowledged my own sinfulness, your blood took away my sin. You saved me by your grace. You filled me with your Holy Spirit, and you called me to a new life in you. Thank you, Lord, for saving me. Thank you, Lord, for your love. I will never be the same. And I praise your name for Easter and for what you did on the cross. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen