I love spring; the whole earth seems
to come to life. Here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan I can experience all
four seasons. After a long winter it is a welcome sight. I am looking for the
snow to melt, and the birds to return. The first robin of the year is a
welcome sight. Those first flowers that bloom their beauty usher in the change
of the season. The green grass provides a variation in color that we haven't
seen since last fall. Spring is much more though, for those who know Jesus
Christ as their Savior, it is a celebration of His triumph over the grave.
Death lost its icy grip that first
resurrection morning as the empty tomb boldly attested. When Jesus Christ
walked out of the tomb He forever changed the reign of death. Shortly before
His crucifixion, death, and resurrection, Jesus made an incredible statement.
He said,
"I am the resurrection and the life,"
John 11:26
Jesus always spoke the truth, and in
this case it was no different. In the 11th chapter of John's gospel, Lazarus,
Jesus' friend, had died. Jesus is on the scene, He feels their grief. He
speaks to an amazing truth in the midst of perceived hopelessness: "I am the
resurrection and the life," He then goes on to demonstrate it by calling their
brother Lazarus who had died four days previous back to life. Power flowed
from our Lord that day. As awestruck as that left them, it pales in light of
what He is about do at Jerusalem.
In the first sermon preached after the
empty tomb, Peter noted something that was a well known fact at this point in
history. He said of Jesus Christ as pertains to death:
Acts 2:24; "it was impossible for Him
to be held in its power."
Peter proclaimed that Christ had
risen to well over 3000 individuals some forty plus days after the
resurrection. His audience knew of His crucifixion and death. They also knew
of His resurrection from the grave, it was the talk of the town. His statement
to this truth is met with no objection, those in his audience could attest to
this truth. And what a truth it is. Death no longer has dominion over Christ.
When He rose again from the dead, He proved that He really is the
"resurrection and the life."
So what difference does this make to
His followers? Well, here it is, "because I live, you will live also." (John
14:19). Death couldn't hold Jesus Christ, and it cannot hold those who are in
Christ. Yes, we will experience death unless Jesus returns first. And it is
true that we will one day breathe our last, and taste death in these bodies.
But Christ has broken its grip. It is not the end, the dread of death and its
power has been shattered. Believers look with bated breath to stepping into
the presence of our Lord and those who have gone on before us. We grieve when
a brother or sister dies, but our grief is tempered by the hope of eternal
life.
Every spring I am reminded of the hope
and peace that is mine through faith in Christ. Life without Christ is lived
without hope. Hopelessness well describes what is all around us. No joy in
life, no satisfaction here and now, there is no purpose in it. Those without
faith in Him have no purpose in living except for the momentary praise of men.
But in Christ, the only one to rise again never to die again there is hope.
"but thanks be to God who gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Victory is in Him and through Him.
This is what the resurrection of Christ is all about. There is hope and joy
for today, peace and assurance for tomorrow. Those who know Him as their
Savior can live life as it is intended to be: in the victory that He supplies,
overwhelming victory.
What about you? We were created for
relationships, with God and with others. Do you have a relationship to God
through Jesus Christ? You could do no better than to come to faith in Him.
"he who believes in Me will live even
if he dies, Do you believe this?" (John 11:26b.)
As you celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus Christ, I hope you are holding unto Him in faith. The key isn't what you
know, it is what you believe. What about your spiritual life, who or what are
you trusting in? Why not the one who left death powerless that first
resurrection morning.
Pastor Brad Cochrane
