The Good News Of Jesus Christ

The new church was quick to expand after Jesus Christ resurrected. His new followers, called Christians, had the mission of spreading the Good News: Jesus has authority over death! Their greeting to each other reflected this truth.

When two Christians would meet, one would say: “He is risen.” And the other would respond with: “He is risen, indeed!” Today, that exchange is often carried out by pastor and congregation in church services throughout the world. What a beautiful public acknowledgment: we believe in the hope He promised us.

But too often, shortly after we close our hymnals on the old hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (Written by Charles Wesley & Lyra Davidica), or the Easter table dishes are cleared and all the delicious chocolate is digesting, we begin to sink back into the everyday problems that confront us. We quickly forget the hope of an eternal future given to us through His death on The Cross.

Believers, if that starts happening to you, do not allow evil to overturn the victory of Jesus’ crucifixion. Stay focused on all Jesus endured for us: the beating, whipping, mocking, and piercing.

He paid the final price for our sin and now sits eternal at the Father’s right hand. The highest place of honor.

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:2-3

The torment and humiliating suffering Jesus endured was not done selfishly so He could sit royally on the eternal throne. No, Jesus  experienced pain and tribulation so that when we call out to Him, He would be able to say – I understand your suffering. I am with you. I understand physical and emotional distress. I went through it, so now I can help you through it.

And at the same time, His mission here on earth was being fulfilled as He offered Himself as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin. No more animal sacrifices would be necessary before God. God accepted Jesus’ suffering as final payment for the sins of mankind. But after the suffering was over and His earthly body was “finished”, death still had no hold on Him because – Jesus is God! Jesus was raised from the dead!

Jesus Christ has risen, indeed!

On the first day of the week, after Jesus was crucified, Mary Magdalene and the apostles Peter and John went to Jesus’ burial tomb. There they found the stone had been rolled away.

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. John 20:3-10

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow” are lyrics from a popular Christian song titled “Because He Lives” (Writers: Bill & Gloria Gaither, Matt Maher, Jason Ingram, Ed Cash, Daniel Carson, Chris Tomlin). This songs resinates the truth that we should never loose sight of the hope that He promised us. Jesus suffered, died separated from God for three days, then rose and now lives eternal in heaven.

And for those who believe in Him, we too can face any fear. Any obstacle fallen in our way. Because this suffering of ours, just like Jesus’ suffering, is short lived here on earth. And we too, will be risen indeed!

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Does it bother you to hear Oh My G**! flippantly exclaimed? Or to read OMG in advertising and print messaging? If so, I invite you to join the movement and click the Break The Chain tab above! Once there, write your commitment to the title name G-O-D. Help us break the chain of Oh My G**! and OMGs.  Share you believe in the depth of who God is and Lift Him Up in the glory that He alone deserves.