We too will be resurrected

ApriL  22

Read 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 and reflect on the passage.

A great old Easter hymn asks the rhetorical question, “Could the Head (Jesus) rise and leave His members (us) dead?”

The answer is: of course, He couldn’t. He won’t. Jesus risen means that we— His body—will be resurrected, too. We must be alive forever, too! This is both our hope and our real expectation as Easter people.

We have eternal life right now, by faith in Jesus. When our earthly bodies die, we still live on forever. “…Whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die,” says Jesus (John 11:26).

We sometimes can wonder about the details of our resurrections, but not the truth that we will be resurrected. We will be changed; we will be new; we will live more fully than ever before—and forever, too, which is a very long time.

Jesus lives; we live, too, right now and with Him eternally. This is the great truth and hope that first changed the world, and that keeps changing it as people like us come to believe and experience Easter and Jesus’ life in us. Christ is Risen!

Questions

1. What questions about Heaven and eternal life do you have? Do they keep you from enjoying your Easter Hope?

2. Can you imagine what life with Jesus forever might look/live like? The Scripture’s pictures help us to keep them close at hand every day.

Prayer

Living Jesus, thank You that I am eternally alive right now. Help me live the hope I have every day—one foot, already in Heaven. Amen.

—Paul ulring

The Empty Tomb John 20:1-9

The stone at the entrance to the tomb is gone. Where is the body of Jesus? While it is still dark, Mary is running to Peter and John. She tells them that the tomb is empty. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!”

Peter, who denied knowing Jesus, and John run quickly to the tomb to see what is happening. Their eyes settle on strips of linen lying inside the tomb. They see the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head neatly folded and laid aside. I can imagine a distressing stillness surrounding them.

Something happens to John and Peter as they stand peering into the empty tomb. It is said that John sees and believes. He believes Jesus is resurrected. John and Peter actually witness the resurrection through what they see in the tomb before it is written in Scripture as God's plan. How awesome, but overwhelming and confusing this experience must be!

As I read today's text, I find myself looking into the open tomb with John and Peter. I am a believer. I believe the tomb could not hold Jesus. I believe the evil in the world could not destroy the Truth of His resurrection. As at Easter, I raise my arms and say, "Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed!"

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Living Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-12

“Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!” I love to join the mass of voices declaring this Truth at Easter services. I close my eyes and see their joy as the disciples realize Jesus has returned to them. I feel a similar joy recognizing He still lives in my heart today. He lives to give me a brand new life and a future in heaven!

Peter speaks of a living hope. Christ is the living hope. What this means to me is His hope is available to me all the time. In my prayers He meets me in the pressures of the day, my hurts, struggles, grief, and helpless moments. He forgives me, comforts me, encourages me, empowers me, and shows me the right path to take. In the midst of all life’s issues, He strengthens me giving me joy and hope beyond my understanding.

Christ Jesus lives! I know Christ is with me. He will be beside me even to the end of my life. Then He will be with me to lead me through to live in heaven.

”Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (vs 8-9)

Why wait until Easter, when it can be declared every day, "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!"

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