We have all heard about Jesus being crucified and arising on the third day. The Bible tells us that Jesus died and rose again not only so that we could receive forgiveness but even more so. He died and rose again so that we might have eternal life. It is through His death and Resurrection that we live a whole life and know we have forgiveness,
I John 4:9 says, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” Jesus died and rose again so that we might live through Him.
2 Corinthians 5:15 gives us another truth concerning this life Jesus gives us. “And He died for all, that they should not live unto themselves but unto Him who died for them, and rose again.” Jesus also died and rose again so that we might live for Him. He died and rose again so that we might not live for ourselves but for Him and others.
I Thessalonians 5:9-10 points out a third truth concerning why Jesus died and rose again. “For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” He died and rose again so that we might live with Him. Jesus went through suffering a cruel death and rose again victoriously so that we might live with Him.
What does the Resurrection of Christ have to do with us? Can the Resurrection only relate to Jesus, or do we see resurrecting moments in each other? Why do we even care about the Resurrection? This Resurrection happened two thousand years ago. Can resurrections be happening today?
As Christians, we celebrate this Easter season by reminding ourselves of the ultimate gift Jesus gave to all humankind. Jesus opened the windows of heaven for everyone who seeks the love and redemption of God. What does it mean to live a resurrected life? What earthly examples are there for the fallen, broken, and confused? What is required of Christians to assist our friends and enemies in their resurrections?
Resurrection is a word that we do not think about daily. Have you ever experienced some form of Resurrection? Have you ever been in a dark or sad place and suddenly come out the other side of the problem? That is a form of Resurrection. After a while, have you been sick or injured and realized you were well and no longer injured? That is a resurrection. Have you or someone you know had their dreams and Spirit shattered but, with faith and hard work, found a new beginning? That, too, is a resurrection.
We talked before about each of us having the Holy Spirit within our hearts and that once we recognize this Spirit, we can all have a new strength, a power to conquer challenges, and the knowledge to figure out the impossible. This resurrection spirit is a part of the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to change our circumstances, move past our fears and shortcomings, and find a way to prosper when things are at their worse. God gave us all the tools we need to be successful. Remember Jeremiah 1:5, which states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” And then later in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has given us success, and it is up to us to pursue and enjoy these successes or stay in the depths of defeat and despair. This promise is another opportunity to resurrect yourself and allow God’s power to assist you in succeeding. When we are ready, God will take us by the hand and pull or push us to better times. It is entirely up to us when and if we will allow God to help us. When you allow God into your life, that is a resurrection. When you were low in Spirit because of bad decisions, and when you felt terrible about yourself, and suddenly someone or something changed your thinking, something encouraged you, someone helped you reach a new level that was a resurrection.
What about when we allow someone around us to be forgiven and when we encourage them to better themselves? That was a resurrection. When you put some hurt or disappointment behind you and remove negative feelings and thoughts, you are experiencing a resurrection. Every time you replace evil, sad, and miserable thoughts with positive and loving thoughts, you have experienced a resurrection. When you realize that the fears, disappointments, and barriers to your success are not real and replace these feelings with the knowledge that you can and will succeed, you have experienced a resurrection.
In John 11:25, Jesus tells us that he is the Resurrection and the life, permitting us to enjoy his love and to know we can resurrect in our lives. When we realize and know the truth about ourselves, realize that we are spiritual beings and that the Holy Spirit is within us, we can resurrect into a new era and enjoy life the way God intended for us to live. Every time you make a positive change and follow God, you experience a resurrection. Remember Philippians 4:13, which says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And with this thought, try to resurrect yourself in some beautiful way every day.