Introduction

Passion Week began with a time of celebration, joy, and praise towards the Son of David as he entered Jerusalem. The people were excited to see the Messiah humbly riding into the city on a donkey. However, the religious leaders had it in for Jesus and this resulted in ongoing confrontation. Jesus challenges them to repent, and the religious leaders plan on how to arrest and kill Jesus. This confrontation led to Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross and the loss of hope and dreams for many. The necessity of the Cross was not fully understood in Jesus’ day. Here are several thoughts to consider by way of introduction to the Cross… There was an exchange:

· One of the first things to mention is that Jesus was taking your place. The innocent Son of David was substituted for guilty sinners like you and me. Jesus was sent to the cross instead of Barabbas (Mark 15:6-15). WHY? Because God loves us. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

· Another exchange was this, Jesus took our curse and releases his blessings. As a result of sin, everyone is under the curse of sin and the Law. In other words, in this life sin has its grip on me. However, as a result of the cross, sin no longer has its hold on me because “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit” (Gal 3:13-14).

· How many of you like shopping for new clothes? At the cross there was also a change of clothing in a spiritual sense. We took off our old rags and put on the new garments that Jesus provided. I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness… (Isa 61:10).

· At the cross, Jesus opened up a new way of living. We are told that the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). This signifies that a new and living way is open to us in this life. Abundant living, blessed living, grace living, love living… Through the cross and Jesus’ blood, we can enter into a full relationship with God (Heb 10:19-22).

A New Day

As I was meditating and praying for Sunday, I was led to a passage of Scripture that spoke to me about a new day. It reminded me of springtime after winter. Or that day you feel all better after a time of being sick in bed. Or the smell of fresh rain. The sun rising at dawn on a new and beautiful day… “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam 3:22-25). His love never ceases… His mercies never end… Every day is a new day because of God’s faithfulness… The Lord is my portion, my real estate… Therefore, hope in him… Wait for him… Seek him… He is our salvation…

Resurrection Sunday

It is a new day. He is Risen… He is Risen indeed!!! The Gospels each record their unique perspectives in relation to the resurrection. Each one powerful and life changing for the disciples and his followers. Here is the Resurrection Day story…

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

They find the stone rolled away and the tomb is empty. All of a sudden, angels appear and ask, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen! Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples, while Mary, the mother of James, draws near and sees the angel. Meanwhile Peter and John arrive at the tomb, John out runs Peter, and they look in and believe but still did not understand from the Scriptures that Jesus had to rise from the dead. The disciples return to their homes, while Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb weeping, and sees Jesus who then tells her to go and tell the disciples. Jesus also appears later on in the day to the disciples going to Emmaus in the evening, who respond by saying, “were not our hearts burning within us…” Then Jesus suddenly appears to the disciples, who were behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. He says to them, “Peace be with you!”

Jesus’ resurrection appearances do not stop on the first day. Thomas was not present on the Lord’s day, but faithful Jesus returns to reconnect with Thomas a week later. Jesus also appeared to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, then in Galilee on a mountain to the apostles and 500 believers, and at Jerusalem and Bethany to James. My favourite Jesus encounter after his resurrection is found in Acts 1:1-12 – “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The importance of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is that central moment in human history that serves as the foundational doctrine of Christianity. Jesus, as the Son of God, fully and truly became the Son of Man having surrendered his divine life and submitted to a life of obedience, even obedience to death on the cross. His resurrection confirms his identity as the divine Son of God, proves his irreversible victory over sin, death and the grave. The resurrection secures both the present salvation and future physical resurrection of believers. The resurrection of Jesus is the New Day for mankind, especially those who believe.

The idea of the resurrection of the dead was familiar to the people in Jesus’ day. There were Old Testament prophecies that centered on the cross. As well, the resurrection of the dead was a common thought to the Jews, who believed it would take place at the return of the Messiah at the end of time. Martha thought that was what Jesus was talking about when speaking of Lazarus, “he will rise again.” The resurrection of Lazarus a few days later was nothing short of miraculous. How was this possible? Jesus states, “I am the resurrection and the life…” To know and experience Jesus must be accompanied by the knowing of the resurrection of Jesus in one’s life.

The resurrection of Christ is foundational in Christian theology. It is the one truth that is highlighted over and over in the beginning of the Book of Acts. Everything is built upon this foundational event. The Gospel was all about Jesus who is alive… And this message has been passed down through the ages.

In 1 Cor 15:3-8 – Paul lays out the basic understanding of the Gospel, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”

In conclusion

He is Risen… He is Risen Indeed! The Resurrection of Jesus is the most powerful story ever told. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus on the cross, freely given by the Father and raised to life by the power of the Holy Spirit. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…” (1 Peter 3:18). The power of the cross is amazing. Our sins are forgiven. We are now the righteousness of God. We are blessed as sons and daughters of God. AMEN!

The power of the resurrection is ours to embrace today and each and every day of our lives. The blessings of the resurrection are life changing. We have been given an abundant life to live. We have been given hope for the future. We have received an inheritance. The resurrection affirms our faith in God. We are shielded by God’s power (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Let’s pray…