From Ben – 16 April 2017
As I have prepared devotions and sermons for this wonderful time of the year, I have been reflecting on the importance of the resurrection in God’s message of Easter. There is no doubt at all that Jesus’ death on the cross is so very important for our salvation. After all, if he had not given himself as he did on the cross we would have no hope of forgiveness for our sins. We would be cut off forever from God’s loving presence.
But what I have come to see with a new sense of clarity this Easter is that the resurrection of our Lord on the 3rd day, as he promised, is as much a part of Easter as the crucifixion. The crucifixion without the resurrection would be of no eternal value to us before God. The triumphant resurrection is the divine proof that Jesus’ death on the cross as the sufficient substitute for sinners was fully acceptable to God. God the Father raised him up showing all the world that there is hope beyond the grave and a life to enjoy in God’s presence.
Today let us praise God that Christ, not only died for us, but rose again giving us the hope of heaven.