Corona Devo 1875
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
(2) There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. (3) His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. (4) The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
(5) The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. (6) He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (7) Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
(8) So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (9) Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. (10) Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” ~Matthew 28:1-10
~~~
Jesus defeated death.
This miracle is fresh every day of the year, but there is something special about realizing it on Resurrection Sunday: Easter.
Jesus died.
We've read about it in the Bible. We've watched the Passion plays and movies, and we've seen it in our mind's eye. Jesus' death was excruciating. It was barbaric. And--it was necessary in order for us to be made righteous:
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned...
(15) But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
(16) Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. (17) For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
(18) Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
(19) For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. ~Romans 5:12, 15-19
~~~
Jesus died. Yes.
But--Jesus defeated death and rose again. YES!!
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? (6) He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: (7) ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” (8) Then they remembered his words. ~Luke 24:5-8
We simply cannot go on with "business as usual" if we believe what the Bible says here. Jesus didn't stay dead. He had told His followers that His death would occur, and that He would rise again on the third day. AND THEN HE DID!
Jesus defeated death. It's a brand new miracle everytime we realize it, and He alone has done such a thing.
BUT, the other revelation that can wash over us today is that not only did Jesus defeat death for Himself...but Jesus Christ defeated death FOR US TOO.
That empty tomb (He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ~Matthew 28:6) meant victory over death FOR US TOO.
Because Jesus rose from the dead...we too will rise in (Holy) spirit and super-naturally once our mortal lives end. We will all die, but for anyone (and everyone!) that has asked the Lord into their heart and believed upon His name...our last breath on earth will be our first breath in Glory with God.
Jesus defeated death for Himself...and for us.
What if we had no fear of dying because we knew that Jesus defeated the unknown and scare of it? (He has!)
The empty tomb on Easter morning should take away our fear!!!
Our celebration of joy on Easter pinpoints our source of joy: Jesus defeating death. But we can deepen/embolden/and embrace the secondary or second-hand joy-source within this Truth, and that is that through Jesus, we have defeated death too.
Jesus knocked down the door to death that (Resurrection) morning, and He left the door propped open for us to pass through also.
I can't think of better news to receive...and I do mean "recieve".
He has risen. He has risen indeed...and He takes us with Him, IF we will believe in Him. Receive Jesus today.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~John 14:6
His resurrection means our resurrection too.
Hallelujah!
Blessings,
sarah
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