He Is Risen: From Death to Glory

Next to Christmas, Easter is my favorite holiday, as this day was the ultimate game-changer for all of humanity. On Good Friday, the day that Jesus was crucified on the cross, was the day that our debt was fully paid. That was the day that all of us were officially set free from our sin and were eligible for forgiveness and reconciliation to our perfect Heavenly Father. The day that the sacrificial lamb spilled His blood for our sake.

The day that the only perfect, sinless, innocent being that ever walked the earth bore our sin and shame. Even though the day of Jesus’s death was a day of mourning and sorrow for all of those who loved Him, the spilling of His blood was the greatest blessing that God has ever extended us. As Jesus said before He hung His head down and took His last breath, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Many hearts were shattered and many probably didn’t understand why such a painful death of their beloved Jesus was the will of God. His followers probably didn’t understand why they had to endure this loss. They probably didn’t even expect that this loss was in exchange for something greater- their salvation.

Jesus’s resurrection is the perfect representation of God restoring all that was lost and giving us so much more than we had before. It is the birth of something new; but before God gives birth to a new thing, the old thing must die. In order for souls to be resurrected with Jesus, our sins must die with Jesus.

On Easter, not only was Jesus risen back to life, but He came back offering us salvation and forgiveness of our sins. We officially have access to His Kingdom. Not only did He rise again to live, but He rose again to live in each of our hearts and walk with us everywhere we go.

Good Friday might have been the day when God seemingly took away all things that are precious to us, but the miracle on Easter is a demonstration of the Lord’s faithfulness of giving us back so much more than He had taken away. Good Friday might have been Christ’s death, but Easter Sunday is His glory.

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”- Matthew 28:5-7