"But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead-haven't you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So He is the God of the living, not the dead." (Matthew 22:31-32)
TODAY'S WORD , there is an old church custom that is still in practice today. On Easter morning, pastors will often greet their congregations with the happy declaration, "He is risen!" and the people will answer back, "He is risen indeed!"
I like that. Because, really, that's what it all boils down to, doesn't it? All of the doctrine, all of the prophecy, all of the teachings, tenets, and traditions of Christianity hinge on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty" (NKJV).
Despite what our culture would have you believe, there is life after death. As Jesus told the Sadducees, "As to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead-haven't you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' So He is the God of the living, not the dead."
Not only did Jesus affirm with His words that death is not the end, He proved it by rising from the dead Himself that first Easter morning!
So however you celebrate Easter today, think about the fact that Jesus conquered death. And though death can cause sadness and separation for a time, the Christian has nothing to fear from death. Our God is the God of the living, not the dead.
He is risen! He is risen indeed!
A PRAYER FOR YOU TODAY Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit. Send me into the world in peace, and grant me strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever more, Amen. |
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