What is so special about Easter?

As we spend the next week getting ready for Easter, let’s remember why Easter is so special.

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead…

We would not know that life after death was possible. Jesus certainly told people about the promise of eternal life, but without the resurrection, He would not have demonstrated He had power over death and that His promise was credible.

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.  (Romans 6:9)

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead…

We would not be confident that He died for our sins. We would be confident He died — that is historical fact — but we would not be certain our Savior had the power to forgive sins. Jesus did miracles to provide such assurance, but the resurrection provides the best assurance that, in Christ, all of our sins are indeed forgiven.

Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Luke 5:22-24)

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead…

We would not be confident He was coming again. After all, a Savior that did not transcend into heaven would not be able to return again from heaven to gather His people.

They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angles with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:30a-31)

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead…

We would have a grave. While other religions celebrate gods that have burial places, or gods they have never physically seen, we have an empty grave and a Savior that proved power over death.

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. (Luke 24:12)

If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead…

We would not have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. (John 16:7)

Because we have the Spirit, we don’t have to sin today.

We will sin today either knowingly or unknowingly, but we have another power to access besides our own feeble flesh. We can now access the power of God Himself, the Creator of heaven and earth. Our flesh will be active all of our life but there will also be an increasing ability to rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit to live through us instead of living out the desires of our flesh.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Because we have the Spirit, we can live a transformed life.

Folks, if Jesus had not risen from the dead, He would not have sent the Spirit, and we would not have the ability to reflect Christ’s character in ever-increasing ability to the world around us. We don’t have to wait until we die to experience the presence of the Lord and experience growth and transformation, even through our suffering. The Spirit allows us to have a great life NOW.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Because Jesus rose from the dead…

When we get out of bed each day, we can confidently say, “Today, God the Spirit is present in me and through me. I have all I need to face whatever today brings and to respond in a way that reflects God’s nature. I already have everything I need in Him.” We have the ability to face each day this way because Jesus rose from the dead and then sent the Spirit, our Advocate.

The entire Godhead loves us.

As we prepare for Easter next week, let’s marvel at the entire Godhead. God the Father sent God the Son to die for our sins AND to raise Him from the dead SO THAT we could receive God the Spirit and have the power to live a life that is transformed more into the likeness of Christ every single year we live.

Truly, we live because He lives!

Picture Explanation: New life.

Speaking of living life by the power of the Holy Spirit: 

An online study starts April 4. It’s not too late to sign up! If you are interested in being contacted to participate in a One Gritty Blink Bible study in 2023, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and contact me by email. There is an evening online study April 4-May 9. There are also plans for a face-to-face study this summer starting June 7. Let’s focus on things that count for eternity!

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