That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death ~ Philippians 3:10.
Introduction
Happy Resurrection Sunday to all our friends and brethren round the world! May the power of Christ’s resurrection continue to bring renewed hope, love, peace, power and God’s endless blessings to you and yours, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Easter is one event that clearly distinguishes Christianity from all other religious persuasions in the world today! Our Savior, unlike the other religious founders, is not in the grave! Why? The power of death and grave just couldn’t hold down the Son of God (Matthew 27:54).
During Easter, we celebrate the almightiness of God, the incredible depth of His redeeming love, the vicarious sacrifices of Jesus Christ and the matchless power of the Holy Spirit that raised Him from the dead.
Jesus Christ really mocked death at His resurrection. In fact, death and grave never had it so bad; they both were robbed of their highly priced victory. Jesus broke loose from their grips, and He arose by the Spirit of glory.
He arose, having finished the work of our salvation from sin and deliverance from every satanic power that had held all humanity in captivity for ages! Therefore, our Easter celebrations must also involve gratitude to God for our redemption.
Christ’s resurrection is one of the most momentous events in human history. It is the key-stone of the arch of our holy faith, and therefore, very central to true Christianity. We must encourage ourselves to live, walk and operate in the resurrection power, every day.
Impacts of the Resurrection on the Early Disciples
No doubt, the events of the passion week came with a great suspense. The arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ were shocking and devastating experiences for the disciples. With their joy and hope suddenly terminated, they were completely disoriented, perplexed, crushed, frightened and frustrated.
They scattered everywhere, seeking for where to hide their abashed faces (John 20:19). Peter, the bravest among them dared to follow Jesus during His trial, but he did so only at a distance. Even then, before a rooster crowed, he had denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:54-62). Those were indeed the darkest hours for the early disciples!
Meanwhile, perhaps, what added to their uncontrollable grief and erratic behaviour at that time was because they had completely forgotten Jesus’ words about His suffering, death, and resurrection (John 20:9). How many terrible things we also suffer today because we ignore what Jesus has said!
In fact, when Mary Magdalene and her friends, who were the first to see the risen Christ, brought the good-news of the resurrection to the disciples, it was considered as idle tales and summarily discarded (Luke 24:10-11). However, things changed dramatically when Jesus appeared to them where they were hiding for the fear of the Jews, and “He rebuked their unbelief …” (Mark 16:14).
Now, having seen their risen Master and the incontrovertible evidences that He had conquered death, the impacts of Christ’s resurrection on the early disciples were notable and, indeed, very marvelous.
First of all, Christ’s resurrection gave the early disciples of Christ a new revelation about Jesus Christ. All that the disciples had before was just a mere mental knowledge of Christ, but the resurrection gave them true revelation knowledge of Christ (John 20:26-28).
It then dawned on them that Jesus was more than just a prophet, a healer, a miracle worker or a teacher. He is truly the Son of God, the Messiah, the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world, the great High Priest, the Prince of Life, and the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Secondly, Christ’s resurrection gave the early disciples of Christ fresh insights into God’s redemption plan for mankind. They then clearly understood Christ’s mission on earth and the unique role He accomplished in God’s grand redemption plan, as well as their own roles and responsibilities in it.
Furthermore, the resurrection of Christ also revived and increased the faith, confidence and boldness of the early disciples. Now that the Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, and thus demonstrated His authority and supremacy over death and grave, there was nothing left to fear.
Death had been swallowed up in victory publicly, perfectly and permanently (Revelation 1:18). Consequently, they became bold, fearless and powerful witnesses for Christ, going everywhere and proclaiming that Jesus is indeed the Messiah (Acts 4:20). Indeed, nothing has ever been the same since Christ’s Resurrection (Acts 4:10).
The Resurrection of Christ And The Believers Today
Please recall that the word, Easter, is adapted from the root word reflected in Old English, Eastre, a pre-Christian festival that heralded the beginning of spring. Spring depicts the coming back to life of plants and trees that have been dormant for winter.
No doubt, what bursted forth onto our planet at the Resurrection Morning was the new life of Christ. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus and the joyful outcome of His mission to save mankind. Thus, it truly depicts new life!
Most emphatically, at Easter, we celebrate not only the resurrection of Jesus, but also the resurrection of all of us who believe in Him. Our personal resurrection from a life of sin, unbelief, defeat, poverty, fear, oppression, mediocrity, etcetera, is made possible by His resurrection.
The resurrection life was made possible for Peter, who backslid shortly after Jesus was arrested, but was restored after Christ’s resurrection. This life has also been enjoyed, over the ages, by millions of people, globally, who have repented and taken the risen Christ at His Word.
Now, if the resurrection of Jesus Christ doesn’t have these same effects upon our lives and faith today as Jesus’ disciples, then something is terribly wrong with us. The resurrection realities should deepen our spiritual knowledge of Christ, and should bring to our understanding a new dimension of Jesus’ glory and power.
Christ’s resurrection should also give us fresh insight, revelation, and deep understanding of God’s redemption plan and enable us to locate our place and roles in the plan (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).
Friends, the truth is that we have been raised up “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” because Jesus arose from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-23). We should, therefore, break forth into freedom this day by embracing the resurrection life that will lead us to salvation and untold blessings!
Nothing delivers from fear and hopelessness as the revelation of the risen Messiah. If you’re still in the depth of despair, or you’re still a timid witness of Christ, it means you haven’t yet caught the revelation of the resurrected Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you today. Embrace the risen Lord and Saviour wherever you’re right now, and whatever you may be going through. God is everywhere and He can renew everything in your life, if you will only respond to the grace of the present moment. You won’t miss it, in Jesus Name. Amen. Happy Easter Sunday!
** Bishop Taiwo Akinola,
Rhema Christian Church,
Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
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