He is not there!
Updated: May 22, 2022
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelt in you.” Romans 8 vs. 11
When on the first day of the week after Christ’s death, His disciples came to the grave to
visit and mourn Him, they did not recognize a lack of faith in their actions. They did what
was natural, to follow a pattern of cause and effect - He is dead, therefore His body
should be in the grave. Then they met the men who reminded them that God’s word
transcends circumstance - no matter how dire. God’s words transcended the grave, Christ
was not there.
The Story of Christ’s resurrection gives us hope that our future is not defined by our past
circumstances, it is defined by God’s Word working through us, and that Word is Jesus (John
1 vs 14). Christ’s resurrection reminds us of the hope of salvation “Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new” 2 Corinthians 5 vs. 17. Christ’s resurrection gives us hope that we are no longer slaves
to sin and death Romans 8 vs. 1 - 2. Christ’s resurrection reminds us that we are no longer
slaves to principalities and powers Colossians 2 vs. 14 -15. We have hope of rising past the
circumstances of our birth, societal prejudice and limitations or the lack of earthly resources
2 Peter 1:3
As we reflect on Christ’s resurrection, let us remember to put its meaning to action in our
lives. First, by living in the reality of God’s words ourselves - free from sin, fear, or whatever
else holds us back from living in the fullness of Christ. Then we should follow this up by
taking the gift of Hope through Christ to those around us. Christ expects us, free, to be an
avenue to liberating this world from the slavery of the devil. As we live in freedom and give
that gift to our family, friends, and community, we prove the power of Christ’s resurrection.
Reflect on these:
If Christ’s resurrection is the gift of freedom,
Have I found freedom through Christ?
Have others found Christ through me?
