Jesus Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Blessed Easter season to you all! One of my favorite truths to teach about Easter is that because Jesus rose from the dead, we don’t need to fear death at all because we to will rise to eternal life just as He did! As St. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the “first fruits” of the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor. 15:23). But even before Jesus’ death and resurrection He displayed His authoritative power over death during His earthly ministry.
The first time Jesus raised someone from the dead almost seemed to happen on a whim. As Jesus was entering a town, He saw a funeral procession with a widow crying loudly because she was burying her only son. And so Jesus stopped the procession and said to the woman, “Don’t weep.” He Then went on to touch the casket of her dead son and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” To everyone’s amazement and joy, the dead man sat up and began to speak (Luke 7:11-17)! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
The second time Jesus raised someone from the dead was with a little twelve-year-old girl old whose father asked Him to help her. She was sick for a while, but as Jesus was making His way to her, she died. Even though everyone gave up hope, Jesus still entered the house, took hold of the dead girl’s hand and said, “Child, arise.” Her spirit returned to her and she got up at once fully alive (Luke 8:40-56)! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
The third time Jesus raised someone from the dead seemed almost more impossible than the previous ones. Jesus hears about His friend Lazarus’ sickness and coming death, but to our amazement He didn’t hurry to his side. Rather, He took His time and finally arrived after Lazarus was not only dead, but already lying in his tomb for four days. We’re told that when Jesus got there, He was deeply moved and even cried. Jesus demanded the tomb to be opened and said, “Lazarus, come out.” And a man who was dead for four days came walking out (John 11:1-44)! Alleluia! Praise the Lord!
All of that was pointing to the real miracle Jesus would perform for us and for our salvation: His own resurrection from the grave! And the bast part, Jesus doesn’t keep His new, eternal life to Himself, but freely give it to you and all who call upon His name! Jesus’ victory over the devil means that our sins are forgiven and salvation is ours! Jesus’ victory over the grave means that even though we die as a result of our sins, we still have eternal life with Him in the resurrection of the dead in the new heaven and earth to come!
And thanks be to God that we have the sure and certain promise that one day Jesus will return, and when He does, He will do the same thing for you and me. Jesus will one day stand over our own graves and say, “Don’t weep . . . child arise . . . come out!” and we will live again! That is our blessed hope and future!
Jesus Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
In His Service,
Pastor Noble