Today, more than any other day on the calendar, we celebrate the fact that Jesus is alive!
Anastasis is the Greek word for resurrection – capturing the audacious truth that Jesus died, trampled death, rose to life & will return one day soon. It speaks of all things becoming new & truly alive.
The Gospels tell us:
The stone was rolled away.
The tomb was empty.
The angel gladly proclaimed,
“He is not here, He has risen!”
Before His death, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;”
Our God is God of life & death,
Creator of resurrection & rebirth,
Giver of Truest life-
turning even the darkest winter of the soul into eternal spring.
The chains of death could not contain Him, so our Saviour ascended & now lives in resplendent glory in heaven.
‘Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.’ (Hebrews 7:25 NIV)
These are great words to ponder, & cherish.
If we come to God for forgiveness, through accepting what Jesus has done, & trusting in Him, He will completely save us. (The older versions say ‘save to the uttermost’) And now, Jesus ‘always lives’ to intercede for us. He is our Mediator. He liaises between us & God, acting on our behalf.
Jesus’ last words to His followers were these:
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:20 NIV)
Because He lives, He is with us, always.
Because He lives, we can face the future. It’s in His hands.
Because He lives, we don’t have to fear.
Because He lives, He is there to guide us through trials & sorrows
Since Jesus conquered death, we can place our hope in God- not merely for this life- but for the next. Our hope transcends time into eternity. Death is not the end- it is but a shadow. Because of Jesus’ triumph over sin & death we can have a happy never-ending!
Today let’s worship the Life-Giving, Death-Defeating God who can give us strength & ability to stand today & forever. Now & always.
Blessings,
Ruth x
Blessed! 