'He is risen' - 'He is risen indeed'
This is the traditional greeting among Christians on Easter Sunday. However, it is not just a greeting, this is the foundational truth of the Christian Faith. The Apostle Paul wrote 'But if there is no resurrection of the dead,then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain' (1 Cor 15:13-14) and again 'Remember Jesus Christ,risen from the dead' (2 Tim 2:8).
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith, it is the foundation of all we believe. The resurrection is the basis for; our forgiveness from sin, our relationship with God the Father, the coming again of the Lord and our eternal life. The resurrection is also the basis of our hope; the Apostle Peter writes 'he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead' (1 Peter 1:3). This it is not hope in the sense in which we currently use the word, a desire for something to happen, but rather an expectation, based on the character and word of God, that something will happen. This 'living hope' is also described as an 'inheritance', something gifted to us that we will receive in the future. This hope is the expectation that one day we will be 'entirely saved' that we will be resurrected with a new body and live with God for eternity. The certainty of our hope is guaranteed as we 'by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time' (1 Peter 1:5).
Peter goes on to write 'In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,.....you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory' (1 Peter 1:6,8). So this hope is 'living', it is alive and growing and should shape our response to the trials and difficulties we are facing, having this hope bring us joy even in the most difficult of circumstances.
How will you respond to the resurrection of Jesus?
Will you allow this hope of 'entire salvation' to bring you joy regardless of the outward circumstances or will you allow your situation to over power you and pull you down? Will you believe and trust the power of God to keep you for something better, a salvation yet to come?
Lord, thank you that through your resurrection I have been born again to a living hope. Help me to allow this hope to shape my approach to life and bring my joy even in the most difficult circumstances.
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