THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

"And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe

sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,

who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

But go, tell His disciples..."

(Mark 16:6-7)

The heart of Easter is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Man deals with many things in this world, but he should never forget his three greatest enemies: Satan, sin, and death. Jesus came into this world to defeat these three strong powers of darkness. When we read the Bible, we discover Jesus defeated Satan in the wilderness, overcame sin by His sinless life, and conquered death by His victorious resurrection. The Bible gives more importance to the resurrection of Christ than to any other miracle because there is no Christianity without the resurrection. If this miracle can be proved to a man, he will have no difficulty with the rest of the Bible.

The resurrection of Jesus is the day that changed the world! The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the greatest miracle of history and is one of the most undeniable facts of history. Every possible opposition raised against Christ's resurrection has been answered by the strong testimony of many who saw and died for Him like the apostle Peter. "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). The apostle Paul said Christ was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).

The apostle Paul declared Jesus to be the Son of God, whom God raised and exalted to His right hand. Even though some people crucified Him as a criminal, others believe in Him and enthrone Christ in their hearts. Ask yourself if you have done this very thing. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Jesus' resurrection certifies that God has removed the believer's sins "As far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12) because "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). His death resolves the sin debt of every believer, and His resurrection is like a rubber stamp with the words "paid in full" on every believer's bill, which he was not able to pay. " [Jesus] was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25). The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees the Christian of his own resurrection that he will enjoy one day. "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:49).

In this world, we all carry the image of fallen Adam. We are helpless to sin and death, but in our resurrection, we shall be like Christ: sinless, adopted children of God and joint-heirs with Christ. We who have this blessed hope daily in this life are becoming more like Him. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians chapter 3 of the importance of the resurrection of Christ. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection..." (Philippians 3:10). If we do not know the power of the resurrection of Christ, and if we do not see ourselves as dead in Christ, then the darkness of the cross is still upon our hearts. In this case, we do not breathe the fresh air of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are ignorant of our real liberty. To be alive with Christ, we must be dead to all that the flesh desires. We must know "whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

If we know the power of the resurrection of Christ, we must "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1). We must see ourselves as being raised up with Him, dead to sin, dead to the pleasures, and dead to the vanished glory of the world which crucified the Lord of Lords. The things of the world no longer exercise any influence over our thoughts and over our lives. His presence and divine love must shine on us with the assurance of our salvation and the joy of our redemption.

After all, we will no longer find any pleasure in things of this world. Satisfaction does not come any longer for us from the world, but from above, tirelessly serving, praising, and glorifying the risen Lord.

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord;

and whether we die, we die unto the Lord:

whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's"

(Romans 14:8)

* * *

• In 1999, my wife and I had the privilege of visiting the Holy Lands — a wonderful place where our Lord spent His life on the earth. After that visit, our lives have not been the same. What the Bible says is all true. There is a Calvary, and there is an empty tomb. I have a picture of the empty tomb in my office. It always reminds me of my Lord's love, sacrifice, and power. We saw with our own eyes where our Lord was laid when He was buried and is now not there. Yes! He is Not There. He Is Risen. Hallelujah!

• On the wall going into the empty tomb is written the following:

"Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?"

(1 Corinthians 15:54-55)

"The glory of God shall be seen by those who put

their faith in Jesus in times of greatest Distress and

hopelessness. They are certain that He is greater

than any Distress, even greater than Death itself."

• Without Jesus' resurrection from the dead, life would be hopeless. Jesus is not a baby anymore in Bethlehem, an adult on the cross, or dead in a tomb. Instead, He is alive and sits at the right hand of His father. I know this because I talk to Him each day in my prayers, and through His Spirit, He answers me and reveals His existence, as the Holy Scriptures prove. I know my Redeemer lives. Hallelujah!

• The Risen Jesus has brought the gift of forgiveness and salvation to each Christian. Now, it is our responsibility as believers in Christ to share this good news with others without holding anything back.

Let the heavens sing, and the earth rejoice!

Meditations On Our Risen Lord (Audio)

Jesus Is Resurrected (Video)

00:00 / 01:29

Christ the Lord Is Risen Today (Music Clip)

"Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!"

00:00 / 01:29

Hallelujah, He is Risen!. We serve a risen Savior.

He Lives (Music Clip)

00:00 / 01:30

"He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."

1eaaa54cb6373a6c6c4174452573b96c.gif-9412.gif

"Because I live, you shall live also."

(John 14:19)

Because He lives (Video)

My Hope Is In The Lord (Music Clip)

00:00 / 01:30

Victory In Jesus (Music Clip)

00:00 / 01:30

Jesus Saves/Easter Song (Video)

"Jesus said to him,

'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" (John 20:29)

BIBLE VERSES

"And he [Angel} saith unto them [Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome], Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” (Mark 16:6,7)

"He is not here: for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him..." (Matthew 28:6,7)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
"... Jesus rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once..." (1 Corinthians 15:4-6)

"...he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" (Acts 1:3)

"Jesus our Lord ... was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"

(Romans 4:24,25).

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die" (John 11:25,26)

"Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, . . . and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them ... to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians. 4:14-17)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ... hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3)

(Acts"He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31)

"When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture,and the word which Jesus had said." (John 2:22)

"Jesus Christ ... declared to be the Son of God with power, ... by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:3,4)

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8:34)

"When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3)

"If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (1 Cor. 15:17; Romans 10:9)

"That I may know him (Christ), and the power of his resurrection..." (Philippians 3:10)

"For I know that my redeemer liveth..." (Job 19:25)

The tomb of Jesus Christ is famous because it is empty!

QUOTES

"The resurrection is a fact better attested than any event recorded in any history, whether ancient or modern”

—"Prince of Preachers," Charles H. Spurgeon

"I know the resurrection is a fact...Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Everyone was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true..." — Evangelist, Charles Colson

"The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth." — Dr. Henry M. Morris

"Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection." "Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion. The concept of resurrection lies at its heart. If you remove it, Christianity is destroyed." — Quotes by Theologian, John Stott

"The greatest negative in the universe is the Cross, for with it God wiped out everything that was not of Himself: the greatest positive in the universe is the resurrection, for through it God brought into being all." "Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection." — Quotes by Chinese Christian Leader, Watchman Nee

"The New Testament writers speak as if Christ's achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the 'first fruits,' the pioneer of life,' He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so." — Scholar and Author, C. S. Lewis

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ was necessary to establish the truth of his mission and put the stamp of all-conquering power on his gospel." — Clergy, Attorney and Author, Edward McKendree Bounds

"The Gospel is the Gospel of the Risen Christ. There would be no Gospel for sinners if Christ had not been raised." "We are not preaching the Gospel of a dead Christ, but of a living Christ who sits exalted at the Father's right hand, and is living to save all who put their trust in Him. — Quotes by Dr. H.A. Ironside

"The message of Easter is not that Jesus is alive, it is so much more. The message of Easter is that Jesus has risen." — Pastor and Author, Colin Smith

"The message of Easter is that God's new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you're now invited to belong to it. If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all he said."— Pastor, Theologian, and Christian Apologist, Timothy Keller

"Belief in the resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith. It is the Christian faith."— Theologian, George Carey

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God’s presence." — Author, Clarence W. Hall

"Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in the world."— Pastor and Author, Paul Chappe

"The risen life of Jesus is the nourishment and strengthening and blessing and life of a Christian."— Minister, Alexander MacLaren

"By His life, death, and resurrection, our Savior has conquered our enemies, and by His Spirit He has granted us to share in the victory." — Pastor and Theologian, R. C. Sproul

"God has defeated Satan through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through this overwhelming victory, God has also empowered you to overcome any temptation to sin and has provided sufficient resources for you to respond biblically to any problem of life. By relying on God's power and being obedient to His Word, you can be an overcomer in any situation." — Missionary, Author, and Radio producer, John C. Broger

"It ought to be placed in the forefront of all Christian teaching that Christ's mission on earth was to give men Life. "I am come," He said, "that ye might have Life, and that ye might have it more abundantly." And that He meant literal Life, literal spiritual and Eternal Life, is clear from the whole course of His teaching and acting."— Evangelist and Writer Henry Drummond

"The believer must know where the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ have forever set him, before he can be an intelligent worshipper, an acceptable servant, or an effectual witness."— Preacher and Writer, C.H. Mackintosh

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime."— Priest and Theologian, Martin Luther

"For Christ the Lord hath risen, Our Joy that hath no end."— John of Damascus

Jesus' resurrection guarantees that death is not the end of our journey

but there is much more to come!

The Way of the Cross

Some of us stay at the cross,

Some of us wait at the tomb,

Quickened and raised with Christ

Yet lingering still in the gloom.

Some of us ‘bide at the Passover feast

With Pentecost all unknown,

The triumphs of grace in the heavenly place

That our Lord has made His own.

If the Christ who died had stopped at the cross,

His work had been incomplete.

If the Christ who was buried had stayed in the tomb,

He had only known defeat,

But the way of the cross never stops at the cross

And the way of the tomb leads on

To victorious grace in the heavenly place

Where the risen Lord has gone.

— Annie Johnson Flint

The Resurrection

The day of resurrection?

Earth, tell it out abroad;

The Passover of gladness,

The Passover of God.

From death to life eternal,

From this world to the sky,

Our Christ hath brought us over

With hymns of victory.

Now let the heavens be joyful,

Let earth her song begin;

Let the round world keep triumph,

And all that is therein;

Let all things seen and unseen

Their notes in gladness blend,

For Christ the Lord hath risen,

Our Joy that hath no end.

—John of Damascus

He Is Risen

The Lord is risen, the stone is rolled away,

But not by human hands.

The morning breaks, night's shadows flee away,

And broken are death's bands.

The Lord is risen; and buried in His tomb,

The weight of sin He bore

Upon the cross for me.

The fear, the gloom of death haunt me no more.

The Lord is risen; blest proof that God in heaven

Accepts the sacrifice.

The work is done, my sins are all forgiven,

My Saviour paid the price.

The Lord is risen; His pierced hands and side

Now plead for me above.

The Lord is risen; He lives for me, who died

To save and win my love.

The Lord is risen, and waits for me up there

In that bright home above,

Where He has gone His mansions to prepare

For those who know His love.

Yea, He is risen, my Representative,

And pledge that He, in grace,

My debt has paid. Because He lives, I live,

And shall behold His face.

Yea, He is risen. Within the veil I've cast

My anchor, and 'ere long

I shall be home with His redeemed, at last,

To sing the new eternal song.

Since He is risen, faith cannot but avail;

And so I trust His word:

I know 'tis true. Thy promise could not fail,

My risen, living Lord.

—Helen McDowell

Without Jesus' resurrection from the dead, life would be hopeless.

"Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

What Is Easter All About?

Eggs, bunnies, and candy?

Just like other holidays, the celebration of Easter has come to include many traditions, decorations, and fun events which have nothing to do with the real meaning of the day. Coloring and hunting for Easter eggs, eating candy, and enjoying a big family dinner are fun things to do, but the true meaning of Easter is not found in any of them.

What is Easter really about?

Easter is the time of year when Christians remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You may notice that the date of Easter changes each year. This is because, historically, the timing of Easter has been linked with the Jewish Passover feast, which was taking place at the time Jesus died and rose again. In fact, the Bible links the sacrificial death of Jesus with that of the Passover lamb: “Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Why celebrate someone’s death?

It might seem strange to some people that we remember and even celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. Why do we do it? Just like we would honor the loss of a soldier who died for our country, or a hero who lost his life while rescuing someone dear to us, Christians commemorate the death of Jesus Christ because He died for us—He died to rescue us.

You see, each of us has a problem called sin. Sin is the Bible’s word—God’s word—for everything we do that goes against what God wants. We all sin by doing things we shouldn’t do like lying, stealing, or swearing. We also sin in other ways, like having improper thoughts and attitudes—even by not doing things we know we should do (Matthew 5:28; James 4:17).

What does this have to do with Jesus? Well, Jesus, the Son of God, is the only person who ever lived a perfect life without any sin. Because He is sinless, He was perfectly qualified to become our substitute: “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). That is the very reason God sent Jesus here: He came to open the way of salvation by bearing “our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).

Did Jesus really rise from the dead?

Yes, He did. The Bible is very clear on this, and even gives a list of witnesses who saw Him alive again. In addition to the apostles and others who are named, Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at one time (read John chapters 20 and 21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). The fact of Jesus’ resurrection is not only a demonstration of God’s power and majesty, it is a proof that God is satisfied with the work Jesus did on the cross when He suffered for our sins.

Because of who He is and what He has done, Jesus—the living Savior—is the only way to Heaven. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6).

What does this mean for me?

Do you want to be free from your sin—free from the burden and weight of sin which is dragging you down to Hell? Turn to Jesus. You need a Savior who can stand between you and God, one who can make peace with God for you (Romans 5:1). Jesus died for you and rose again; He is the savior you need!

God’s message to you is simple: repent and believe (Acts 20:21). Acknowledge that you are a lost sinner in need of the Savior. Reach out by faith and lay hold of what Jesus has done for you. He will take away your sins (1 John 3:5), give you peace with God, and make you a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17)! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). —MWTB

Christ Is Risen

The Resurrection of Christ Is …

Proof of the deity of Christ.

"Jesus Christ … declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:3,4).

An integral part of the gospel.

"The gospel … how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

The seal of the finished work of Christ.

"When He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3).

Essential for salvation.

"If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Evidence of the believer's justification.

"Jesus our Lord … was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:24,25).

Vital for possession of eternal life.

"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die" (John 11:25,26).

Guarantee of the believer's resurrection.

"Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout … and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them … to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

The reason for the believer's hope.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which … hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

The assurance of the sinner's judgment.

"He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

"But now is Christ risen from the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:20). "He showed Himself alive … by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3). — MWTB

Empty

The Empty Cross

Arriving at Golgotha that evening, I was overcome with a sense of emptiness. The area was completely deserted, but three blood-stained crosses at the top of the hill served as solemn reminders of the events of the day.

Less than a week earlier, Jesus of Nazareth entered the city with His disciples and many others proclaiming Him as Messiah, our long-awaited Savior. We were full of hope, because He was clearly a teacher sent by God with the power to work miracles—healing, feeding, and even raising people from the grave!

But then, the one who we thought would bring salvation was dead. It all happened so quickly; one day He was teaching His followers, and the next He was on trial and condemned to death by crucifixion. Even the execution was rushed, as the soldiers used a spear to ensure that He was dead before the day was over.

The empty cross, and the emptiness in my heart, both testified to one fact—Jesus died.

The Empty Tomb

Three days later, some of His followers went to the tomb, found it empty, and returned with amazing news—He was alive! For the next forty days, He continued to teach and encourage His disciples, appearing first to one, then two, then eleven—and eventually more than five hundred of us at once!

Jesus had predicted that He would suffer, die, and rise again, but we just couldn’t comprehend the beauty of God’s divine plan to redeem our souls. When He said, “I lay down My life, that I might take it again,” we didn’t realize what He meant at the time.

But now, looking back on these events, I see how the empty cross testifies of His love, and the empty tomb declares His mighty power. God’s Word says:

• “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16).

• “[Jesus was] declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4).

This narrative was compiled using Biblical testimony found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, and 1 Corinthians.

Your Response?

Jesus took our sins upon Himself—suffered and died in our place—so we can be forgiven. There on the cross, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The empty cross tells us that the work is done, the price has been paid, and the door to Heaven stands open.

The empty tomb demonstrates that Jesus won the victory over sin and death. Listen to His words: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

Jesus now offers salvation to all mankind. If we reject Him, we must stand before God and be judged for our sins—“cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

But if we admit that we are sinners, turn to God, and put our trust in Jesus Christ, we will find forgiveness and eternal life. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9,13).

— MWTB

He Lives

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6)

These glorious words, spoken by an angel, brought fear and great joy to those who heard them. The previous weeks must have been a blur of activity to them. They had seen their Messiah, the Lord Jesus, raise Lazarus from the dead, enter triumphantly into Jerusalem as their King, and then be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and hung on a cross to die between two criminals. They had thought He was the One who would deliver them from their enemies and lead them into His kingdom. Now, early in the morning, they were visiting His tomb.

The news that He was alive should not have surprised them. He foretold His crucifixion and resurrection many times. In fact, time after time, He told them that He would go to Jerusalem, die, and rise again (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:18-19). The importance of His resurrection is as great as that of His death. Jesus “was delivered [into death] for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Through His death the penalty was paid for our sins. Through His resurrection we are given a living hope—the proof that His promises are true (1 Peter 1:3-5). Without a living Savior, there is no hope. “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain” (1 Corinthians 15:17). But He lives! “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).

Because of His resurrection, Jesus lives as the hope and glory of the believer and the Judge of the unbeliever. Have you turned to God in repentance, putting your faith in Jesus Christ —claiming His gift of eternal life? “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If you have not, come to Him right now. Coming to Jesus means believing that He alone is able and willing to be your personal Savior and Lord: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).

If you have trusted the living Savior, consider this: “He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). He has died for you and risen again to raise you from spiritual death to spiritual life. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26).

Read God’s word, the Bible. See what great things the living Lord has done for you! — MWTB

The Meaning of Easter

"Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God."

(Romans 8:34)

To the people of the world

…Easter means that the perfect plan of salvation has been provided.

The Bible, God’s book, summarizes the "gospel"—which means "good news"— this way:

"Christ died for our sins in accordance to the Scriptures…He was buried …He was raised on the third day in accordance to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). "God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

To God

…Easter means that He is satisfied with Jesus’ death in our place.

"Christ…suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous [us], that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). "Jesus Christ the righteous…is the propitiation [the Satisfier of God’s just punishment] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1-2).

To the believer

…Easter is the promise of everlasting life.

Jesus promised, "Because I live, you also will live" (John 14:19). And “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me [God the Father] has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).

To you

…Easter is a challenge to believe.

"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John 11:25). The Bible says that “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [God’s Son] and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

You can know the true meaning of Easter in your life today!

Recognize that without Christ you are separated from God.

In honest repentance admit your sin and your need to be saved: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Realize that God loves you and that Jesus Christ died for your sins.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son [to die in your place], that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men [mankind], the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5).

Receive the risen Christ into your life by faith—trust Him as your Savior.

"God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him [Jesus Christ] is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John 3:16-18). "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).

Eternal life begins the moment you believe that only through Jesus can your sins be forgiven, and that eternal life only comes from God: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God provides the Holy Spirit to help his children grow because he has good things planned for them. The Bible describes true believers as God’s "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you" (Romans 8:11). That’s how the true meaning of Easter can make a difference in your life—now and forever! — GNB

Resurrection Hope

What is Easter about? Greeting cards speak of "renewal," "the promise of spring," or even "God's love." To believers, however, these sentiments fall far short of the power and victory of Easter—Christ's resurrection from the dead.

Does it really matter if Christ rose from the dead? Some would argue it doesn't. But I submit to you that if Jesus didn't conquer death, Christianity is a lie. Without the Resurrection, the most eloquent sermon is empty; sin still holds us captive; and our faith is nothing more than wishful thinking (1 Cor. 15:13-14,17).

The Resurrection is a fact. Those who are not quite sure, and who do not trust the Bible story, can go to the library and investigate the records of the time written by Josephus, a Jewish historian. And for those of us who do believe the Bible is an accurate account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have much to rejoice about.

For the past 50 years, our church, First Baptist Atlanta has produced a three-hour dramatic performance about the life of Jesus. Many of those years, the civic center has been sold out for all performances. It's the highlight of the Easter season for thousands of people. I enjoy it immensely. I think it gets better as the script is changed annually to give it diversity. But the basic script is still "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Each year it ends with the ascension of Jesus.

Each year as I sit there and anticipate the Resurrection scene, I feel as if I'm going to explode with excitement. I feel tense during the trial and the beating of Jesus. I get angry at the Roman soldiers (who are my church members!) as they yell at and hit our Savior. I am weary and sad during Gethsemane and the Crucifixion scenes. I am sometimes exhausted after those scenes because they seem so real to me.

Then, the music changes. The mood changes. Disciples and women are running across the stage looking for Jesus, wondering where His missing body could be. Women weep. Disciples shake their heads. Jesus' mother is pondering. I want to stand to my feet and shout, "He's risen, just as He said!" I never have said that, and I'm sure those around me are grateful. But I've wanted to.

The strangest feeling overtook me one year. As the disciples peered into the tomb and as angels hovered nearby and they cradled His folded grave-clothes in their hands, I wanted to get up and walk up on to the stage to look in the tomb, too. I knew it was empty, but I wanted to experience the thrill that those first disciples must have felt when they walked into the empty tomb. We can't imagine their despair and then their feeling of utter amazement and victory.

His resurrection assures our resurrection. There would still be the sting of death if He had remained dead. But He was the firstfruits of resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20). He paved the way for us.

Of course, we grieve when someone we love is taken in death. But we grieve differently from the way the world does. We do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). We can look forward to a wonderful reunion someday with them and with the One who died—and lives—for us!

If He had remained dead, we would have nothing.

No hope. No faith. No comfort.

But we have a living Savior, who transcended the laws of death and smashed them forever.

A little girl took a caterpillar and put it in a metal box that once held Band-aids. She shut the lid tight to keep the caterpillar in and then went on her way, virtually forgetting about her wonderful catch. The caterpillar spun and a tight cocoon inside the box.

One day, when the girl was at school, her mother was cleaning her room. The mom opened the box to see what treasure the little girl had hidden. Out came a beautiful butterfly.

The mother closed the bedroom door tightly, so she could show this creation to the little girl when she came home. She could hardly wait. She met her daughter at the door and said, "Guess what! You've kind of become a mother!"

The child couldn't imagine what on earth her mother was talking about. But then the mother slowly opened her daughter's door and showed her the butterfly basking in the sunshine on the window sill.

Butterflies, although a beautiful illustration of new life emerging out of something seemingly dead, do not adequately portray the Resurrection. Jesus was not in some flimsy metal box. He was in a sealed tomb with guards standing nearby. He was wrapped in a cocoon of death, yet He broke free.

The stone was rolled away from the tomb, not so Jesus could get out but so the world could look in. His resurrection assures yours. Because He lives, you will live forever.

—Adapted from Dr. Charles Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living, 1995, pp. 208, 213-214.

Importance of the Resurrection

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. Everything else that was said or done by Christ and the Apostles, no matter how great or marvelous, is secondary to the Resurrection in importance. If the Resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth.

Death is man's greatest enemy, and it has conquered all men but Christ. No matter how brilliant or rich or strong he may be, no man is wise enough to outwit death or wealthy enough to purchase freedom from death or strong enough to vanquish death. The grave always wins the victory, and man sooner or later returns to the dust.

In fact, the inexorable triumph of death applies not only to man, but to all things. Animals die and plants die, and even whole species atrophy and become extinct. Cities and nations, like people, are born and grow for a season, and then fade away. Homes and automobiles and clothes wear out and must eventually go back to the dust, just as do their owners. Even the universe itself is running down and heading toward an ultimate "heat death."

This universal reign of decay and death is called in the Bible the "bondage to decay" (Romans 8:21). In science it has come to be recognized as the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Also known as the Law of Increasing Entropy, this Second Law is now recognized as a universal law in science, with no known exception ever observed. It says, quite simply, that every system tends to become disordered, to run down and eventually die. Its entropy, which is a measure of disorder, always tends to increase.

The universality of the reign of decay and death is the measure of the absolute uniqueness of the resurrection of Christ. All other men, even the greatest men and the holiest men, have died. Buddha, Mohammed, Zoroaster, Confucius, Caesar, Marx—men who made a profound impact on the world in one way or another—are all dead.

But Jesus Christ is alive! It is true that He died and was buried, in common with all other men, but unlike other men He returned from Hades, resurrected His own dead body, made it henceforth immortal, and emerged from the tomb, alive forevermore! This was the greatest of all miracles, and could have been accomplished only if Jesus indeed is God, as He had claimed to be.

If all this is somehow a delusion and if Jesus of Nazareth did not really rise from the dead, then He is no different from other great men who are also dead. He is worse than they, in fact, because He is thereby branded as either a charlatan or a madman, since He staked all His claims to absolute deity on His promise to return from the dead.

On the other hand, if the Resurrection is really a demonstrable fact of history, then not only are His claims vindicated, but so are His promises. Death is not, after all, the great victor but is a defeated foe. He has "caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3). "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, … so also in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22), as the "firstborn of the dead . . . and behold, I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:5, 18).*

Dead in our sins, we have only one hope for new life: by trusting in Jesus Christ and relying on His death and resurrection for our salvation. No other spiritual leader has ever conquered death; Jesus is the unique Son of God. He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), and "whoever believes in [Him], though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). If you are ready to accept Jesus as your Savior, you can say a prayer like this:

Jesus, I know that I am a sinner who cannot save myself. Thank You for suffering on the cross and for rising again so that I would have new life. Please forgive my sins and guide me down the right path. I trust You as my Savior and Lord, now and forever. Amen.

The Good News of Easter

The good news of Easter is that there is life after death.

This Easter Jesus Christ offers salvation and new life to all.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live."

(John 11:25)

Since 1900 the average life expectancy in the United States has risen by more than 25 years. But despite our phenomenal medical breakthroughs, death is still our greatest enemy, the inescapable last fact of life.

But there is hope. The good news of Easter is that there is life after death! Jesus Christ overcame death nearly 2,000 years ago as the Bible states: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures... was buried... was raised on the third day" (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Christ's resurrection is more than an historical fact or theological doctrine. It is God's personal invitation of eternal life to you and me.

On the Cross of Calvary Jesus Christ suffered and died in our place so that we would not have to face God's judgment. And on that first Easter morning He was raised to new life--God's seal of approval that Christ has paid for our sins in full.

This Easter Jesus Christ offers you salvation and new life. Through faith in Him you can join the countless thousands who have believed His promise: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12).

Have you received the promise of Easter? God offers you new life paid for in full by Christ's blood. Admit to God that you need His forgiveness and salvation. Today you can believe in Christ and receive His salvation.

"If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). — GNP

Jesus Lives!

The wonderful message of the Bible is that Jesus lives!

After Jesus died on the cross, becoming the only sacrifice for sin, He rose triumphantly from the grave. Now He offers the free gift of eternal life to all who trust in Him.

“He is not here: for He is risen, as He said.” Matthew 28:6

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 — MWTB

Because He Lives

BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD, YOU CAN HAVE …

A LIVING SAVIOR – If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9

A DIVINE MEDIATOR – Christ that died … is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34

AN UNDYING PROMISE – Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25 — MWTB

Easter: The Day that Changed the World

The great German statesman Konrad Adenauer once said, "The most important thing in the world is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Jesus is alive, then there is hope for the world. If He is still in the grave, then there isn't the slightest glimmer of hope on the horizon."

For three days the lifeless body of Jesus lay bound in the grave. With Him lay the aspirations of all who had followed Him. This man whom His disciples hoped to be the Messiah was brutally seized, tried, tortured and left to die upon a cross.

But on the third day, as He had prophesied, He arose to live, talk and show Himself again. His resurrection was the final proof of who He is and what He promised. "Because I live," He told the disciples, "you also will live" (John 14:19). It is God's stamp of approval of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Our debt of sin has been paid; the door of Heaven has swung open.

The good news of Easter morning will speak throughout eternity. It says three tremendous things. First, God is. Second, God loves. Third, God acts. He is in control. Our sin had separated us from our Creator, but God Himself has provided the cure.

Today you can know the power of the resurrection in your own life by taking the following steps:

1. Recognize that without Christ you are separated from God. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

2. Realize that God loves you, and believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

3. Receive the risen Savior into your life by faith: "But as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12). "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).

— GNP

An Easter Tradition: Red Egg

The red egg is symbolic of the events of Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, His entombment, and finally, His breaking of the bondage of death by His Resurrection--all find a fitting expression in the red egg. The red color of the egg signifies the blood of Christ, its shell His three-day entombment, and its breaking, His Resurrection. With the cracking of the red eggs between two people, one says, "Christ is risen!" and the other responds, "Christ truly is risen!"

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

Testimonies

A Jewish man meets Jesus.

"The words of Jesus Himself, His uncompromising posture, His upright justice, His modesty, and His sacrificial love spoke into my heart as the irresistible hallmarks of the One and Only God of Israel. I couldn't stop falling in love with Him.

Paul Smethurst was a Christian I knew from high-school six years earlier. He had immigrated to London but happened to be in Johannesburg. We met and he gently lead me to the Lord. He had been praying for me for those six years!! But the next day Paul flew back to London and I still didn't know if I could be Jewish and believe in Jesus.

That evening was a Friday night, the customary time for me to spend with God. At dusk, I strolled toward the local Rosebank Union Church looking for a quiet place to sit down and pray. The sanctuary was dark and empty and I took a seat in the back pew. I became aware of music playing and I went to see who was there. Unknowingly, I had stumbled upon the Jews for Jesus Friday-night service. It was Passover time and there was a beautiful Christ in the Passover presentation.

As a Jew, to be shown the links between Jesus and the Passover of the Old Testament not only had the tears streaming down my face but left me with the solid confirmation that believing in Jesus was the most Jewish thing that I could ever do. That was my first encounter with the ministry of Jews for Jesus. Almost 4 years have passed now. I went back to university and finished the degree that I dropped out of. Drugs and destitution are behind me. I have found the Bible to be the most amazing book ever written and the Lord has been faithful to keep me through thick and thin. He is the best friend I ever had, or ever will have..."

Jesus is not a baby anymore in Bethlehem, an adult on the cross, or dead in a tomb. Instead, He is alive and sits at the right hand of His father. I know this because I talk to Him each day in my prayers, and through His Spirit, He answers me and reveals His existence, as the Holy Scriptures prove.

I know my redeemer lives. Hallelujah!

– Ted Matamis

That's My King! Do You Know Him? - by Dr. S.M. Lockridge (Video)

****************************************************************************************************************

Live, Love, Laugh!

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine"

(Proverbs 17:22)

The Empty Tomb

Morning on the third day . . . the gloom and the chill of Friday are gone. The angel has rolled the stone away and announced, "He is not here . . . He has risen" (Matthew 28:6). The world bursts into life again. The Son has risen! Jesus proclaimed, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26). Because of the empty tomb, you and I can have the assurance of eternal life. Death could not keep our Savior in the grave—the One who gave His life to save us from our sins has triumphed over death. Jesus' death and resurrection opened the way for all who believe in Him to experience true life in the presence of God Almighty.—GNB

Rejoice, for He has risen!

The prisoner and the the pagan Roman Emperor

"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelations 1:17-18)

When the army of the pagan Roman Emperor, Julian the Apostate, was on the march to Persia some of the soldiers tortured a Christian believer in brutal sport. After they wearied of it, they scornfully asked their helpless victim, "Where now is your carpenter God?" The prisoner looked up through his agony to say, "Where now is my carpenter God? He is building a coffin for your emperor."

Dear Friend, has the darkness in life been getting you down? Don't let the arrogance of evil get the better of you. In spite of appearances, Jesus has risen and He is Lord of all. Hold tight. Jesus is in the driver's seat and is holding the keys!

"When death stung Jesus Christ, it stung itself to death."

—Peter Joshua

Now comes the good part

The Swanson family was watching a movie of the life of Jesus. Little Anna was deeply moved at the realistic portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Tears ran down the little girl's face as they lay Jesus in a borrowed tomb and the stone was rolled to seal it. Suddenly a big smile broke on her face. She bounced up on the arm of the chair and announced with great anticipation, "Now comes the good part." "Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay." (Acts 2:26-27)

Dear Friend, has life buried your dreams? Don't lose hope. God can raise the dead. Put your trust in the Lord and get ready for the good part!

He Arose (Video)

Resurrection of Christ Was…

1. Attributed to the Father Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12
2. Attributed to the Son John 10:18; Luke 24:6-7
3. Attributed to the Spirit 1 Peter 3:18; Rom. 8:11

Resurrection of Christ Is…

1. The seal of a finished work Acts 13:29-3-
2. The sign of a glorious triumph Heb. 2:14; Eph. 4:8
3. The pledge of a coming resurrection 1 Cor. 15:20-22
4. The certainty of a future judgment Acts 17:31