We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Romans 6:4 NIV
The chocolate bunnies have been eaten. The Easter baskets have been stored away for next year. Yet the church is still in the middle of the Easter season.
We are celebrating Jesus the Christ being raised from the dead after a horrific, painful and humiliating death on the cross. He allowed this to happen in order to defeat our enemy (Satan) and open the way for all believers to share eternity with Him in His heavenly kingdom.
In one specific way…celebrating Easter is kind of like celebrating the New Year. We get to start all over! God gives everyone a second chance. We have a new life…a resurrection life.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
We will all live the resurrection life once we leave this world if we’ve put our faith in Christ. How can we share in that life on this side of heaven? We can do that as we continue to live as an image of God….not to become gods ourselves, but by living a Godly life.
There was nothing negative or pessimistic in Jesus Christ. He came to show us how to live with hope and encouragement and purpose. He calls us all to be a light…and to shine that light in our often-times DARK surroundings.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Philippians 3:10 (NIV)
We will not have a glorious, resurrection body like Jesus until we are joined with Him in heaven.
In the meantime, we can become more like Jesus by getting to know Him through His word, and by imitating His actions and reactions to others. By doing this, we can have our own resurrection life right here on earth!
Dear Lord,
You tell us that if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
Jesus died so that one day we could all join Him in eternity.
As we celebrate this Easter season of new life, show us all how to live in a way that brings glory to our risen Lord!
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