Easter means living in Resurrection Power!

“Perhaps the transformation of the disciples of Jesus is the greatest evidence of all for the resurrection. At the time of His death they were very much afraid. Peter went to the extent of vehemently denying that he knew Christ. But in a few days this same Peter fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel in the same city. There had to have been a sufficient reason for such a transformation.” John Stott

  In the days prior to Easter, well-meaning Christians often post on Facebook that Easter is more than bunnies, colored eggs, family events, or new Sunday outfits…and it is. Yet, I think even believers miss the significance of Easter. Often, we act as if Easter is essentially that Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave. We might go so far as to connect that His resurrection means our salvation is complete, our sins paid for, and our forgiveness and eternity in heaven are now assured. That’s all true. Yet, there’s so much more, so much that we unfortunately miss.

  In my circle of relationships, there is no one more than my Mother that I’d love to have alive again. It’s been almost fifty years since she was killed. It would be wonderful beyond words to have her back. BUT it wouldn’t radically change my life or turn my world upside down. Having my Mom would essentially be little more than another addition to my life as it is now. That’s not what Jesus’ resurrection is to be for the believer.

  The Apostle Paul longs to experience “the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). The disciples were paralyzed by fear after Christ’s death, yet after His resurrection there’s an unexplainable transformation. On Pentecost they laid it all on the line. It’s why, too, we find those early Christians described as those, “who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6). Jesus’ resurrection means our world is turned upside down. It’s to be lifechanging. We’re to be world changers.

  But for the average believer, Christ’s resurrection might as well be little more than chocolate bunnies and spring flowers. His resurrection hasn’t radically changed our lives. It’s hardly resulted in more than a yawn. So, no wonder much of the world scoffs at the resurrection. Why would they consider it as something radical? If it’s done so little to change us, why should they even consider it as a viable, lifechanging option?  

  Where do we begin if we want to experience resurrection transformation? We must return to the Cross. The Christian life begins with Jesus’ death. There’s no new life without the believer’s death to the old life. A constant, yet oft ignored teaching of the New Testament is the crucified life. Jesus repeatedly commanded His followers, “take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 10:38). A cross means death. Jesus was commanding us to die to our old nature and self. The Apostle Paul expounds on this death to the flesh and the resurrection life in Romans 6.

  It’s only after death to self that we can have resurrection life reality. Christ’s resurrection wasn’t taught in the early church as a symbolic representation of wonderful higher spiritual truths like, “We must always keep hope.” It was taught as a paradigm-shattering, impossible to dismiss fact that changed everything. No longer would life or death cause fear. Because of their experience on that first Easter, they believed that as our Risen Lord said, “Because I live—you will live also.” (John 14:19) This gives us something to cling to in life—cling to even when the death that comes for us all—comes. Jesus rose again, and we will rise too!

  Without Christ’s resurrection, the Bible is just another ancient work of literature…that makes no sense. It’s only because of the Jesus’ resurrection that Scripture makes sense. It makes sense because Jesus is the focus—His birth, life, ministry, atoning death and victorious resurrection is what Scripture is all about. The key to understanding the written Word is Jesus, the living Word or the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14). Christ’s resurrection is the key to understanding it all and why it must change us!

  For example, the Jewish sacrificial system only makes sense if it points to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The Passover meal only makes sense when paired with the Resurrection. The promise of Abraham’s descendants blessing the whole world only makes sense if you realize this happens through Christians sharing the good news of our Risen Lord. It’s only in the resurrected life that God’s Word makes sense and becomes life-altering.

  Many Christians fail to read the Bible. That leaves them living under the dead man of the flesh. God’s Word plugs us into resurrection power, giving us a new life direction. Instead of a new life, many believers live little more than a zombie like existence, dead but alive. They feed on the decomposing things of the old nature, rather than the living Word of Scripture.

  The resurrection is the beginning of the exchanged life. Christ’s resurrection is the source of the power that you can experience in your own life, every moment every day. The same power that brought Jesus from death to life is available to each believer. Freedom from sin and guilt, and hope in Jesus that the resurrection produced brings joy and peace. Because of the resurrection we can experience joy and peace that remain constant despite life’s circumstances. We see beyond this life to eternity and the God who has ultimate control over life and always acts according to what’s best for us. Because of the resurrection, we’re confident in our Father’s love and don’t need to fear the future. When we encounter trouble, we can trust God to lead us through it and accomplish His purpose in the process.

  Christ’s resurrection is much more than He’s alive. It’s that we too are alive for all eternity! Easter means that we can live the resurrected life!  

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