Resurrection Sunday!

 

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, ewe are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:12-20 ESV).

 

Happy Easter, Y’all! I’m writing this devotional on Good Friday, and honestly was not sure where I would go with it this year until I opened my computer and saw my new desktop picture (shown here). As you can see there are some uniquely “Texas things” in the picture. In the foreground there are bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and western bitterweed. Of course, no real Texas picture is complete without longhorn cattle grazing lazily around a lush spring pasture. And of course the barn must be painted maroon and white with an Aggie logo prominently displayed!

 

You will be reading this on Easter Sunday. Our attention begins to turn towards the vibrant celebration early today. I am reminded of our reading today as John Stott writes,

“Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion. The concept of resurrection lies at its heart. If you remove it, Christianity is destroyed.” That is the very point of the Apostle Paul. The resurrection of Jesus is what defines Christianity. However, we often neglect the resurrection in our preaching, reading, conversations, and even our evangelism throughout the rest of the year. If we mention the resurrection at all, it is in the context of arguing for its historicity. While there is profit in such a discussion, it's also important for us to remind ourselves of the many implications of the resurrection. We see, for example, that the preaching of Acts is remarkably centered on the resurrection, which is credited with accomplishing the following: the sending of the Spirit (Acts 2:33); physical healings (Acts 3:15–16); the conversion of sinners (Acts 3:26); salvation by union with Jesus (Acts 4:11–12); Jesus’s role as the leader of his church (Acts 5:30–31; 9); forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:30–31); comfort for the dying (Acts 7); the commissioning of gospel messengers (Acts 9; 10:42); freedom from the penalty and power of sin (Acts 13:37–39); assurance that the gospel is true (Acts 17:31); and, our own resurrection (Acts 17:31).

 

It is the center point of our faith. Today, as you enjoy family, food, and the glory of the spring, please remember to see the greatest glory… the resurrection of Jesus!