“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.’ And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping in looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.” Luke 24:1-12
He is not here, but has risen. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has changed the world and it has changed our lives. We rejoice. We focus on the life that we have in Jesus Christ. The world today is focused on many things. Much of it negative. Much of it divisive. We focus our attention on the risen Savior.
Because He lives, we too shall live. Redemption came at a great price. I hope that we do not take that for granted. Belief in the resurrection helps me to remember what I have been saved from. I have been set free from the bondage to sin. Why would I desire to live in it any longer? I have been made a slave to righteousness. I now desire to obey and to serve the risen Savior.
Hope. The world today is hopeless. I hope and pray that we are not. We rejoice. Even in the midst of the daily struggles we face. Let us not lose heart. Let us look up and remember the one who has risen from the dead. Let us proclaim that truth to any with ears to hear. How has the resurrection of Jesus Christ changed you?
Life from death. Forgiveness through sacrifice. Grace instead of wrath. Oh, what love the Father has shown to us. Let us be grateful.