RESURRECTION DAY

"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.

Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

~ Matthew 28:6

If we had the ears to hear

the prayers of the Son

We'd know the fullness of His words

"Your will ~ not mine be done"

If we had the eyes to see

...His sacrifice relived
    We'd know totally what He endured

He died ~ that we might live
 

For some, the holiday Easter may conjure images of young ladies in yellow frilly dresses, egg hunts, and stories of Peter Cottontail. But the true reason we celebrate Easter has nothing at all to do with candies and baskets, or gift bearing bunnies.

The holiday Easter marks the celebration of the greatest miracle in recorded history -

RESURRECTION DAY

The empty cross stands against the skyline  testifying to the unthinkable brutality of the crucifixion of Christ and His death.

If the story ended there it would have been remarkable enough in that it fulfilled so many prophecies spoken centuries before the birth of Christ ~ but it doesn't end there.

You see, after Christ's death, he battled Satan and claimed victory over death.         

The resurrection of Jesus Christ validates three crucial points for the believer. First, it authenticates the Scriptures. Second, the resurrection validates our redemption through faith in Christ. Third, the resurrection speaks directly to our own spiritual victories. 

The most important facet of the resurrection must be the predictability of it. For God had said, the chosen one would reign. A dead messiah could not complete such a task. Yet, how could anyone be surprised that God raised his beloved Son? It had been declared centuries before in the Old Testament   

 " . . . I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die . . . "   John 11:25-26 NIV

The Bible tells about two Marys who went to Jesus' tomb on the third day. What did they expect to see? A body they could anoint? Instead, an angel told them not to look for Jesus in the grave; he had conquered death and risen. The stone meant to seal his tomb had been rolled away.      Mark 16:1-8

Resurrection Day is about triumph and victory. Persecution, ridicule, mockery - even the crucifixion - couldn't defeat Jesus. Before his crucifixion, his disciples asked him what would happen to him. The Gospel of John in the Bible records him telling them of the hardships that he would endure and that they, too, would endure: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have conquered the world" (Mark 16:33).

"And very early
in the morning
the first day of the week,
they came unto the sepulchre ....
And when they looked,
they saw that the stone
was rolled away." 

Mark 16:2, 4               

"And he said to them, 'Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him."
Mark 16:6

 “…there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” (Acts 24:15b) 

Friend, one day you will stand before God to give an account of your life. Here is what you need to know to prepare yourself for that day. 

The Bad News 

The Bible, God’s Word, says that we are all in the unjust group because of sin!

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “For all have sinned, and came short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) 

Unfortunately, there is a penalty for sin!

 “For the wages of sin is death...” (Romans 6.23a) 

This “death” will separate us from the love of God for all eternity!

“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”        (II Thessalonians 1:9) 

The Good News 

God makes His love available to us all!

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”    (Romans 5:8)

      He (Christ) paid your penalty for sin!

Christ offers this Salvation as a Gift!

 "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord "
(Romans 6:23b) 

Gifts are received, not earned!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9) 

Christ’s own resurrection proves He is willing and able to save you!

“Jesus said…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”      (John 11:25)  

Dear reader, God has promised that you will be resurrected one day. Wouldn’t you like the assurance that you’ll be ready to stand before Him without the fear of eternal punishment? Then why not pray this prayer right now: 

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I ask for forgiveness for my sin. I believe You suffered and died on the cross to pay the FULL price for my sin, and to give me new life. I thank you for saving me and I invite you into my heart to be my Lord and Savior.”