Resurrection Day is this coming Sunday, as all Christians know. They will hear sermons and Scriptures concerning Jesus' resurrection from the dead. He suffered a cruel and painful death; but He did it out of love for us - us undeserving humans that can be so stubborn and self-willed. Oh how He loves us !! We should thank Him everyday for His sacrifice because we who believe in Him will have everlasting life !
For believers, therefore, death is not the end, but the beginning. The beginning of life in eternity with our blessed Lord Jesus Christ; and in a new resurrected body.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?" - John 11:25-26
We have all sinned and deserve death, God's punishment. ( Romans 3:23). But God in His great love and mercy, sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins; to die in our place, taking the punishment that we deserved, so that those who believe in Him and in His resurrection may have eternal life. (Romans 10:9,10,13).
Charles Spurgeon has said, "This love of Christ is indeed measureless and fathomless; none can attain unto it" ......"Herein is love! and truly it is love that "passeth knowledge". O let this love fill our hearts with adoring gratitude, and lead us to practical manifestations of its power."
Jesus' resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith. I urge you to read 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Also study Isaiah 53 which prophesied about Jesus, and was written during the prophet Isaiah's later years and he lived till around 681 BC.
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, "It is finished": and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost." - John 19:30
John is the only Gospel that mentions that Jesus said this. It is no doubt the cry mentioned at Matthew 27:50 and Mark 15:37.
The fact that Jesus said "it is finished" signifies several things:
(1) The work of man's redemption was completed.
(2) Every obstacle was removed, symbolized by the tearing of the veil.
(3) The way of mercy was opened.
(4) Jesus had met man's desperate need as a transgressor.
(5) He had satisfied the law's demand in God's government.
(6) He had answered every Scriptural type with an antitype.
(7) He had fulfilled every ancient prophecy concerning Himself.
(8) Thus, in one word, Christ exhaustively discharged that entire
former dispensation in a new one.
Christ triumphed over the devil and his cohorts (evil angels) and must have sent unimaginable alarm into hades itself. (Colossians 2:15).
In ancient times, telelestai (finished) would be written across invoices to indicate "paid in full". It is the same word used in John 19:28. All was finished. Jesus had given His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). God's will had been done. The means of the world's salvation had now been provided.
How could we ever become self-important and self-righteous, knowing that we, as sinners, deserve death and punishment except for the love and mercy of the Lord, We should be very humbled and very grateful for all Jesus did for us, by dying in our place.
Let us sing praises to Him, and in true gratitude worship Him as our Master and Savior !
Following is a worship song you are probably familiar with:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple." - Luke 14:27
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." - John 3:3
"For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:17
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ, I urge you to make the choice today to repent of your sins, and pray to the Lord for forgiveness. Believe with all your being that Jesus is the Savior, and that He is waiting to pardon you if you will turn to Him in faith and repentance.
Jesus loves you !!
Choose Him ! Choose Life Eternal !
Romans 10:9,10,13 tells us: (9) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
