After Jesus Christ resurrected, the new church was quick to expand. 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.” The other would respond with: “He is risen, indeed!” Today, that exchange is often repeated by pastor and congregation in church services throughout the world. What a beautiful public acknowledgment demonstrating we believe in the hope Jesus promises.
Sadly, shortly after we finish singing worship songs, such as “Forever” by Kari Jobe from the album Majestic in church, we allow ourselves to sink into the everyday problems that confront us. We forget the meaning of truth in their lyrics: forever He is glorified, forever He is lifted high, forever He is risen, He is alive, He is alive!
Believers, if doubt and frustration starts happening to you, stay focused on all Jesus endured for us. Do not allow evil to overturn the victory of Jesus’ crucifixion. On that good Friday Jesus endured: beatings, whippings, mocking, and piercings, all to pay the final price for our sin.
Now, He sits eternal at the Father’s right hand; the highest place of honor.
The torment and humiliation Jesus suffered was not done selfishly so He could sit royally on the eternal throne. No! Jesus experienced pain and tribulation so when we call out to Him, He is able to say – I understand your suffering. I am with you. I understand physical and emotional distress. I went through it. Now I can help you through any hardship.
Christ’s mission here on earth was fulfilled as He offered Himself as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sin. No more animal sacrifices would be necessary before God, as was the Jewish custom. God now 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! He 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 rolled away.
John 20:3-10 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.
“At The Cross (Love Ran Red) ” is a worship song by Chris Tomlin from the album Love Ran Red. This song resinates truth that we should never loose sight of the hope Jesus promised us. Jesus suffered, died separated from God for three days, then arose and now lives eternal in heaven.
For those who believe in Him, we too can face any fear. At the Cross we can find love like a flood that “comes flowing down.” And one day we too will be risen indeed!
Lift Him Up 