Christianity 101: Building a Firm FoundationНамуна

Resurrection Power for Our Journey...

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said...
Matthew 28:6 NKJV

The journey of life is like any travel we undertake. There are twists and turns, valleys and mountains. We might see calm, smooth waters with bright sunshine and sapphire skies one day and then view crashing waves with lightning and thunder the next. At other times, the road of life can look long and treacherous.

Nevertheless, a Christian doesn’t face anything alone. Not only has Jesus promised never to leave your side (Hebrews 13:5), but He has also promised to live inside you by the power of His Holy Spirit that resurrected Him. Knowing and experiencing this truth brings hope, no matter how insurmountable a problem may look. You have been given life and the power of His life to go the distance.

When circumstances occur that look impossible to overcome, the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead can make the possible happen (Ephesians 1:19-20). The resurrection reminds us that nothing is too difficult for God.

Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is God. No other religion can make this claim. Seen by over 500 witnesses at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6) and by others over a 40-day period after the crucifixion (Acts 1:3), Jesus proved He was alive. The testimony of those eyewitnesses, many of whom were martyred by horrific deaths for their faith and the claims they made, verify the truth: Jesus rose from the dead. These folks would not have willingly died for a fabricated story.

While Christ’s death paid the penalty for our sin, His resurrection secured our forgiveness and right standing with God. Our dominion was reinstated over our adversary—the devil—and the Holy Spirit was given to resuscitate our dead spirit to live eternally and indwell us with His power. Let’s look at these attributes of His resurrection.

Upon rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to His disciples in various places. He met two of them traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-25). As they traveled together, the Lord explained from Old Testament Scriptures that it was necessary that He die and be resurrected.

God’s Word tells us that through Jesus’ resurrection, we have been justified. The New Testament word here is a legal term signifying and declaring that we are righteous, upright, exonerated, and acquitted in God’s eyes. Think of justified stating: just-as-if-I'd never sinned!

Let’s continue tomorrow…

• How are you encouraged by the resurrection account in Matthew 28:5-10?
• What do you learn from Jesus’ words to the two disciples in Luke 24:44-49?
• What does it mean for you to realize that you are justified in God’s eyes, Romans 4:20-25?
• What speaks to you from 1 Corinthians 15:17?
• What does it mean for you to walk in new life provided by Jesus’ resurrection, Romans 6:6-11?