Topic: The Resurrected Christ
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 30-31; Luke 17:20- 37
Memory Verse: “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, “ Luke 24:6 (KJV)
Jesus Christ was crucified on Friday and resurrected on Sunday in line with what he prophesied to his disciples while they were passing through Galilee in Mark 9:31 (KJV), “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.” In line with this prophecy, Jesus rose the third day after He was crucified and when some of His followers went to the sepulcher to check Him and put the spices they prepared on His body, they could not find Him! Then two angels there saw their anxiety and told them in Luke 24:6 (KJV), “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,”
The rising of Jesus the third day confirmed that His sacrificial death on the cross was sufficient to atone for all the sins of the world and so anyone who believes in Him will have his/her sins forgiven. This is why Apostle Paul says of Jesus Christ in Romans 4:25 (KJV), “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Your sins have been forgiven and you are justified by His resurrection for He resurrected because God was pleased with his atonement for the sins of the world.
Resurrection of Christ confirms that death could not keep its hold on Him. Thus Peter said in Acts 2:24 (KJV), “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” So Jesus defeated death not only for himself but for everyone as second Adam. This was asserted by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV) “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
The Resurrection of the lord Jesus is also a sign of God’s ability to do the impossible, offering comfort and encouragement to believers that nothing is truly impossible with God. So no situation is irredeemable with the Almighty. This was well stated in Luke 1:37 (KJV), “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” when the prophecy about the Holy Ghost conception was given to Mary.
So irrespective of your situation, no matter how difficult a situation is, it can be handled by God and this should guide the behaviour of all Christians. In celebrating today, you should consider talking to someone about Jesus Christ and the need to be born again for them to have a fulfilled life. This is the main assignment Jesus gave to all his disciples after his resurrection as stated in Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV), “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.“
Happy Easter.
Prayer point: Father, give me the grace to preach your gospel to people today in obedience to your command in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero