Christ was nailed to the cross for six long hours, his heart broken from carrying humanity's sin, grieving for those who would not want to accept his sacrifice on their behalf. At the cross he bore all the shame and the punishment that mankind deserved. He then was buried for three days. Had Jesus remained in the tomb, would I have had salvation? Would I have been rescued? Of course, not! His resurrection guaranteed great blessings for us.
He sacrificed himself for me. That God the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice on my behalf is proven by Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It also guarantees our own resurrection with him. "We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence." (2 Corinthians 4:14)
Through Jesus' resurrection, God has helped me to be separate from the world and its sin and united with Christ. In him I am alive. How beautiful are the blessings of resurrection and living with Christ for eternity. "For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was." (Romans 6:5)
The Bible says that "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 2:6). Sitting with Jesus is more precious than anything else in the world. This has already been done; we have been given the power to live a Christian life now. Paul says we are with Christ in glory. Our life with Christ is definite, because we are united with him through his glorious victory. What a joy to be sitting in the heavenly places with my Lord!
His resurrection guarantees my justification. As soon as I believed that Christ died and rose for me, as soon as I asked for his forgiveness, the Lord and I made a deal. I gave him all my sins and he gave me all his forgiveness and goodness. There is nothing more I can do. I became righteous through faith; God now sees me as if I have never committed any sin. "If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17) But because Christ was indeed raised from the dead, I know for sure that I have been granted forgiveness and righteousness!
- 16 APRIL -