Resurrection Sunday

Today millions will gather in churches across the country for Easter. Some will go for Easter Egg hunts or other special events. Hopefully most will go to remember the premier miracle of Jesus. Yes, He opened the eyes of the blind, gave the lame the ability to walk and fed thousands miraculously but the greatest sign of the ministry of Jesus is the Resurrection. No one else has ever predicted their own death and resurrection and then actually walked out of their own grave. What are some lessons for us from the Resurrection?
One, death has been defeated. I know it doesn’t feel like it at times. Maybe you’ve recently lost a parent, sibling or friend to death. Death is still powerful and pervasive but because of the Resurrection death does not have the last word. When a person dies physically but they are “in Christ” that is not the end of the story. They will join God in a place of pleasure, joy and beauty. They will be with God instantly and at the end of time will spend forever with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-5). Before Jesus, when a person died there was fear, loss, grief and doubt; but now it is like he posted a sign that says Joy is ahead. Eternity is not wishful thinking, or a pipe dream but a confident expectation. Of course, we still grieve but it’s different; it’s grief tempered and seasoned with hope. Because of the Resurrection, we can have a robust, eternal hope.
Two, God keeps His promises. There are hundreds of promises from God in the Scripture. Honestly, some of them are hard to believe. But the Resurrection shows us that God is trustworthy. He will keep even the most difficult promises. One of the sadder moments in the lives of many is when a parent, spouse or friend breaks a promise. Because of the Resurrection, we know that a time is coming when broken promises will only be a distant memory. The Resurrection is at the heart of God’s promise-keeping resume.
Three, the Resurrection gives us hope for the here and now. Maybe there is something dead or dying in your life—your marriage, your finances, your career. The Resurrection enables us to persevere when the situation looks impossible. In any season, no matter how difficult, we can look to the cross and Jesus’ Resurrection and see our path forward. We can see the tragedy clearly but pivot to the Resurrection. We can remind ourselves “if God can do that, what can he do in my life?” It may look like our story is over or at least part of it is dead, and yet God may write a glorious new chapter entitled “New Life.” This Easter, may the Resurrection resuscitate our hope. May it call us into the abundant life that Jesus desires for us. One where despite our circumstances we thrive, flourish and offer glory to God.
The women going to the tomb to care for the dead body of Jesus worried about the large stone they knew would be blocking their way. What is the large stone in your life that is blocking your way to wholeness? Isn’t it time to invite God to roll away the stone in your life?

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church