“He is not here, but is risen!” Luke 24: 6

Ludwig Ferdinand Schnorr von Carolsfeld: Three Marys at the Tomb of Christ

Paula
I get teary-eyed when I contemplate Jesus’ suffering on the cross for my sins—the precious Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world. Fulfilling centuries of prophecy, our sinless Lord went willingly to his agonizing death, sacrificing his life for the redemption and atonement of all humanity—for me and you.

Selah, writes the psalmist: Pause and contemplate this.

But Jesus’ work didn’t end there. He had just conquered His arch enemy satan and removed once and for all the terrible burden of mankind’s sin, yet He must now go on to conquer death itself. Here is what happened:

On the third day (Sunday), early in the morning at sunrise, a group of women went to Jesus’ tomb, bringing sweet-smelling spices to prepare the body for permanent burial. How astonished they were to discover the massive sealing stone had been rolled away and the tomb lay empty! Fearful that thieves had stolen Jesus’ body, the women began to fret. Just then, two angels in shining white garments appeared. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” they asked.  “He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again’” (Luke 24: 4-7).

The women, believing the angels, ran to tell the disciples the wonderful news. However, until Jesus Himself appeared to the eleven men, they doubted the women’s story, thinking their words “idle tales.” Especially Thomas, who stated flatly that unless he put his own fingers into the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side, he wouldn’t believe. Eight days later, the risen Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited the doubting apostle to do just that. Afterward, believing at last, Thomas cried: “My Lord and my God!”

I love what Jesus said to Thomas next. My Lord’s words humble me and make me weep every time I read them. Jesus told Thomas, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20: 29).

Selah.

Jesus’ death and resurrection freed humanity from the bondages of sin and death, but it also ushered in a brand-new age—the Age of Grace. No longer must we sacrifice bulls and goats and doves to atone for our sins. Jesus’ atoning blood, shed for us so long ago at Calvary, provides grace and pardon once and for all. Jesus’ shed blood makes it possible for us to boldly approach the Throne of Grace where our Father God dwells, assured that we will always find acceptance, love and forgiveness there. Because Jesus loved us so completely, he willingly went to the cross, died, and the third day rose from the dead.

It’s been a hectic week for me with plenty of life’s troubles standing ready to choke out the Word of God and tempt me to set aside the awesome significance of Holy Week and Easter Sunday. But I know better than to give in to satan’s wiles. I am so grateful to Jesus for the work He has done on my behalf, and I will celebrate Resurrection Sunday with a heart brimming with thanksgiving and praise. At sunrise this Easter Sunday I will shout along with all the saints and angels in heaven and every believer here below: “Hallelujah! He is risen!”

 Pam

Júnior Miranda, Cruzeiro Gameleira

Writing an Easter blog, I’ve discovered, can be a daunting task. I first thought it should be easy. After all, the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection is such a rich, complex tapestry, the very heart and foundation of Christianity. The story teems with themes and ideas. We see Jesus at his most human, “…remove this cup from me” and his most divine, “…not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). We see the worst of humankind in the betrayal of Jesus and the best in the joy and faith of his followers. A person could write volumes on the subjects of love, compassion, sacrifice, redemption, obedience, as well as loathing, condemnation, selfishness, and rebellion, which are all present in the story of the Cross.

So what thread of this immense tapestry would the Holy Spirit prompt me to pick up? The thought that comes to my mind is: as Christians, what do we ever have to fear? Jesus went through the worst, the most painful experience imaginable. Not just physical pain, which was tremendous, but the anguish of knowing all His loving, helping, teaching, and healing were rewarded by utter and complete betrayal by men. They were the very men who should have recognized Him as the Christ and fallen to their knees. Instead, they had him Crucified simply because they wanted to maintain the status quo. Yet, on the third day He rose! He triumphed over it all: betrayal, agony, sorrow, and death. We cannot help but sin, but Jesus has saved us from ourselves. Because of his sacrifice, if we stay faithful, we are entitled to the same triumph. No matter what we suffer from the hands of evil men and women, no matter what satan throws our way, we will always triumph in the end. We know the final score at the beginning of the game.

I have to remember this as I go about my daily business. When worry and anxiety threaten to drown out the Word, I have to ask myself, what do I have to fear? Christ died so that I would be saved, so that I could have an everlasting relationship with God. In the next life I will be with Jesus, and He is at the right hand of God.

The Cross brings life out of death. As Christians we can trade fear for faith. Praise the Lord! He has risen.