This past Sunday morning I had an opportunity to do something I never thought I would have an opportunity to do…deliver a message on Easter Sunday. As I was preparing for the lesson, I wondered what I could say to a group of mostly Christians that has probably heard sermons on the resurrections for decades. I felt overwhelmed by the task at hand, and as the stress and enormity of delivering an Easter message increased, I sensed God telling me that I did not need to re-invent the wheel. The power of the resurrection has been transforming lives for over 2000 years. So, I began to read through the four gospel accounts of the resurrection over and over, and the more I read through the accounts, the more I saw the power of the resurrection. The resurrection is the single greatest event in human history. It is the day Jesus defeated death, sin, and Satan. WOW!
One thing I noticed as I read through the gospel accounts of the resurrection is it is impossible to encounter the resurrected Jesus and not respond. Every person in the story responded to the resurrected Jesus. The women at the tomb ran to tell the disciples, the disciples finally believed and lived like it, the soliders at the tomb became like dead men, and even the Pharisees made up a lie to protect their reputation. And as I read through the story, I began to ask myself why the resurrection has been a mute event in my life. Why haven’t I allowed the power of the resurrection to change my life? If the resurrection is the greatest event in human history, why doesn’t my life reflect it? I remember delivering the sermon Sunday morning, and afterwards expressing to my wife I was little disappointed that no one responded. After all, I knew there was someone that needed to hear a resurrected Jesus means nothing is the same. As I have taken time to reflect on what God revealed to me through my preparation, I realized somebody did respond to the invitation Sunday morning….me.
I can honestly say that I have not allowed the resurrection to be a catalyst for decisions and actions in my life. I do not believe I will ever be the same after what God has shown me through the resurrection. My goal everyday on this earth is to ask this question…HOW WILL THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE WAY I LIVE TODAY?
If the resurrection did happen, then it is the greatest even in the history of mankind. It is the day Jesus Christ defeated death, sin, and Satan. The resurrection proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior. If the resurrection is true, we must start living like it.
