Death Has Died – Jesus Is Alive!

The most important event that has ever happened to mankind was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For in this event we find our purpose and our hope. The Gospel – Jesus became the propitiation for us. (1 John 4:9-10) His death killed sin, His death killed death!  Jesus Christ, the Holy Lamb of God, the only sacrifice acceptable by God in order to give justification, freedom, and new life. There is no death of sin without the death of Christ Jesus. The innocent, spotless Lamb of God was tortured and then suffered a horrific death. He who knew no sin, but became sin, and died. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The righteous wrath of the holy almighty God, who created the universe, was poured out upon Jesus, the only person to ever walk upon the earth without sin. The Bible even says that it pleased the Lord to bruise (crush) Him! (Isaiah 53:10) Think about that. God’s wrath was satisfied by killing His own Son! It fulfilled His desire! Wow. This was God’s plan completed God’s way. Oh, but it doesn’t end there. The story continues. His thrashed, limp, and lifeless body was laid in a tomb. The natural decaying process commenced. But three days later the temple that God dwelled in (John 2:19), was permeated once again with the Spirit of the living God! Glorified blood began to flow through His veins. Holy breath entered His lungs, and Jesus got up! Glory! Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is risen indeed! (Matthew 28:5-9, Mark 16:9-14, Luke 24:1-7, John 20:1-17) Thinking about the resurrection of my Savior makes my heart leap for joy! This is the Gospel. This is the good news! (John 3:16-17, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Why is this such good news? Because the death and resurrection of Jesus is our only hope for freedom from sin here on earth and an eternity with Him in Heaven. Without Jesus, we are damned to Hell forever. (Matthew 25:28, Luke 16:19-31, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:14-15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9) Our sin, ALL of our sin was imputed upon the only begotten perfect Son of God and His glorious righteousness was imputed upon those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Through Him, we have redemption. Through Him, we have salvation! We are wretched, and we have absolutely nothing that we contribute to our salvation except the sin that put our precious Jesus on that cross. (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-11, Romans 3:23, Romans 7:24-25, Ephesians 2:4-9) 

I think that in order for us to truly appreciate what Jesus did on the cross, we need to recognize how depraved we really are. A missionary evangelist named Paul Washer once said, “The cross is not a sign of our great worth but of our great depravity, that we were so evil that the only way we could be saved is by God’s Son being crushed under the full force of God’s wrath that was due to us.” Though the cross was a place of torture and crucifixion, because of Christ, it has become a symbol of beauty and love. We see the cross displayed on church buildings, jewelry, clothing, and various decor. There is no other execution or torture device that holds this beauty. Think about it. Do you see a guillotine or a noose displayed in this manner? The Bible says that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are lost in their sin. But to those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus, the cross holds the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) The same horrid cross that held my Savior as He bled and died is the same glorious cross that overcame the curse of sin and death. The beautiful and wondrous cross of Jesus Christ demands my all!

One of my favorite hymns is “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts, written in 1707. I have shared a link to this song at the end of this post for you to enjoy in worship. The very last lyrics to this song convict me each time I sing it. They are, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” God should not have to demand anything from me. I should willingly embrace Him! He gave ALL. I too should give ALL. Apart from the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence, none of us are capable to love and obey Him. But because of the cross, the veil is torn and we can boldly approach His holy throne of grace. (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, Hebrews 10: 19-23, Hebrews 4:14-16) 

I’ve heard it said that as long as we live here on the earth in our fleshly bodies, we will never be sinless but as Christians (lovers of Jesus Christ) we should sin less. The sin we commit today was placed upon Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. Does this mean that I should continue in my sin? God forbid! Oh how we need to remember what our Lord did for us on that cross! Jesus bore the weight of every single sin committed for all of time. Why would I want to willfully add to the weight He had to bear?! God help me please! I don’t want to grieve You! (Romans 5:8-6:23, Ephesians 4:30) We are great sinners but Jesus Christ is a greater Savior! He arose so we can live in victory over sin and death! (Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 6:10, Philippians 4:13, 1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:4) 

The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of the Christian faith. Though we have carved out a specific time on the calendar to celebrate this event, this celebration should live in our hearts continually! I hope that you take the time to read through the Bible verses that are included in this blog. I pray they nourish your soul as they did mine. Matthew 4:4b “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Many blessings to you this Resurrection Celebration Weekend!

Scripture For Further Study

(Genesis 3, Isaiah 53, John 14:9-21, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 1:12-29, Revelation 1:17-18, Revelation 4:11-5:14)