April 21 I Sunday

2 Samuel 12-13

Luke 16

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”  —1 Corinthians 15:20-21

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event of all time. All four Gospels record it, not as a symbolic act in any way, but as a literal, physical fact, so much so that Paul writes, “...if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”
(1 Corinthians 15:14).

Christianity has much more than Jesus Christ as a great teacher and philosopher. He is first and foremost a Saviour who conquered sin and death and who rose from the dead to share that victory with us. Unlike other religions, Christianity is not based on the teachings of its founder but on Christ Himself. He does not show us the way, but He is Himself the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). There is no mourning at His tomb, only rejoicing and anticipation of His working in the hearts of millions of people around the globe.

Everything Jesus does today, His teaching, His promises and our future certainty are both proved and made possible by His resurrection. Paul writes that He, “through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). At Easter time, we celebrate the fact that Christ’s tomb is empty and that He is our risen Lord whose life-giving Spirit is made available to indwell all who believe in Him.
His resurrection is the grounds of our faith, our fellowship and an everlasting future.

James 4:14 speaks of our mortal bodies: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” But through faith in the resurrected Christ, we are given life everlasting, which begins the moment we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. It is by His Holy Spirit that we are drawn to humble repentance toward God. When we understand our sinful natures have been crucified with Christ, our sin buried with Him, and we are resurrected to newness of life in Him, we are moved to faith in Him. From that moment on, we have the assurance of a future as everlasting as Christ Himself.

In this new life, we are to enjoy fellowship and intimacy with Christ. Jesus said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come and eat with that person, and they with Me” (Revelation 3:20). We cannot have a more remarkable invitation than that, because it speaks of an abiding relationship that comes not only with the promise of “life to the full,” but an everlasting life with our Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the incredible gift of everlasting life with You. My prayer is for many more people to receive salvation and discover life to the full in You.