JESUS' RESURRECTION GUARANTEES OURS
So, you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.
Romans 6:11 (NLT)
Have you ever paused to wonder what that Saturday after Jesus' crucifixion must have been like? I can imagine it was a day full of overwhelming grief and confusion. The disciples were likely wrestling with the shock of what had happened, struggling to comprehend the significance of Jesus' foretelling of His own betrayal and death. They must have been filled with doubt about whether they truly understood His purpose when He promised that He would rise again on the third day (Matthew 20:17-19).
Then, on that glorious third day, everything changed. Jesus arose from the dead, and His first appearances were to Mary Magdalene and then to His disciples. In the following 40 days, more than 500 believers witnessed His resurrected presence, affirming the reality of His triumph over death.
As we reflect on this important moment, 1 Corinthians 15:21 reminds us that death entered the world through Adam, the first man created by God, when he sinned. Yet, through Jesus, the promise of resurrection is fulfilled: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive (vs 22). Because Jesus rose from the dead never to die again, His resurrection became the foundation and guarantee of the resurrection promised to all believers. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says,
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
Without His resurrection, we would lack the basis of hope that moves us forward.
The beauty of this story is that through Jesus' death and resurrection, we're washed clean of our sins. This does not excuse sin; instead, it invites us into repentance, trust and a relationship with Him. As we turn from temptation and draw near to Jesus, He draws us closer to Himself and leads us into new life. Let us hold fast to this hope, celebrating the transformative power of Jesus' love and grace.
APPLICATION: Read and reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:56-57. Take a moment to thank God and Jesus Christ for His sacrifice and the victory we now have in Him.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for conquering death so that I can become truly alive in You! In You, death no longer has a hold on me. Thank You, Jesus, for Your abounding love for me. I love You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?