Jesus’ Passion Week: Our Savior’s Last Days and Ultimate SacrificeSample

Jesus Ushers in a New Kingdom

Jesus’ death on the cross is not the end of the story. On Saturday, Jesus descended into hell and brought salvation to the souls held captive there (Matthew 27:52-53; 1 Peter 3:18-19; 4:6). On Sunday, His tomb was found empty. Death did not have the final word. Jesus is risen!

On Easter, we recite the words, “Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen indeed!” We sing songs of praise but often don’t comprehend the full implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He not only won victory over sin and death on the cross, but He also overthrew the powers of darkness, and opened the way for His coming Kingdom and for all people to know Him. Jesus’ resurrection marked the inauguration of the Kingdom of God that is founded upon righteousness and justice.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many of His followers, including Mary Magdalene; the two disciples on the road to Emmaus; the eleven apostles; and five hundred brothers and sisters at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6). In His appearances over the course of forty days, He spoke about the Kingdom of God and the coming of the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3-4). Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commissioned His followers:

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

As Jesus sent His first disciples, He is also sending us as His renewed people to bring His Kingdom on earth. Jesus told His followers that after He returned to the Father, they would do even greater things than He did (John 14:12). Equipped with the Holy Spirit, we participate as Kingdom-bringers when we follow Jesus’ footsteps by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and loving others as He loved us (Matthew 16:24; John 13:34-35). Let us pray that we can be a community of Kingdom-bringers, living a life of worship and sacrificial love that is extended to the least of these.

Prayer: God, we are grateful that you rescued us from darkness and brought us into your Kingdom of light. Thank you that you have called us to witness and participate in your Kingdom work wherever you have placed us. Help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received. May your Kingdom come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.