Mohammed, Siddhartha Gautama
(The Buddha), Confucius, and Jesus Christ:
To many,
these names are all of equal value; they represent great
teachers who spoke words of wisdom and enlightenment.
They are the leaders of major religions, and their words
and ideas live to this day, each having won the loyalty
of millions and even billions of followers.
All four of these men died and were buried. However
three still lie in the grave. This coming Sunday,
Christians around the world will celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the Passover he was
slaughtered as our spotless Passover lamb. As in Egypt,
his blood was placed over us to protect us and shield us
from the judgment of God. Then Christ conquered sin -
and death itself - by rising again.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not
ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see
the place where the Lord lay (Matthew 28:5,6).
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy
victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of
sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 15:55-57).
Resurrection Sunday should be a day of greatest
rejoicing. Christ Jesus lives today! We have a living
Lord, a living Savior, a living Hope. He has broken the
power of death and sin over our lives! Through him, each
of us can escape God's wrath and live forever. This is
the foundation of the Christian faith. Without Christ's
resurrection, we have nothing.
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of
the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen,
then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we
have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he
raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if
the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if
Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in
your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1
Corinthians 15:12-19).
Praise the Lord, Christ has risen! Billions of people
through the centuries have had their lives changed by
the living power of Jesus Christ, and to this day, his
resurrection power heals and restores and gives new
life. We are witnesses to that life-giving power here at
Koinonia House, as are thousands of our readers. How do
we know Christ lives? We've watched him change our lives
and the lives of people around us! We've watched him
heal and restore over and over! Praise God - he will
continue to do so until his return!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3,4).
That is reason to celebrate indeed!
Thanks and glory and
praise be to God for ever and ever! Amen.
Related Links:
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Study Resources: Easter - Koinonia House
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