RESURRECTION:

Etymology

Middle English resurreccioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin resurrection-, resurrectio act of rising from the dead, from resurgereto rise from the dead, from Latin, to rise again, from re- + surgere to rise — more at SURGE

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resurrection

I thought I’d start with a definition just to make clear what kind of power I’m talking about.

It’s becoming more popular for Christians to refer to Easter as Resurrection Sunday, in an effort to return the focus to the resurrection of Jesus. As a grandmother of young kids that still love the Easter Bunny and hunting for Easter Eggs, I won’t disparage the joy of the celebration of spring and new life, but the resurrection of Jesus is so much bigger and more powerful than anything else we celebrate, even Christmas.

At Sunday’s service, our pastor read from Matthew pointing out that there was more going on than we often remember.

At once the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and rocks split apart. Graves opened, and many of God’s people were raised to life. They left their graves, and after Jesus had risen to life, they went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

Matthew‬ ‭27‬:‭51‬-‭53‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Do you see that! This all took place as soon as Jesus gave up his spirit. In the blink of an eye, the barrier between us and God was removed, made clearly visible to us by the tearing of the curtain that separated the people from the Holy of Holies. (See Exodus 26:31-34.) But look at the next part. I don’t remember reading it. Matthew’s not talking about Zombies, these aren’t the walking dead, no, these are godly people rising back to life—Jesus’ resurrection power at work in their mortal bodies.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.‬‬

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭ESV

Let’s look at what Jesus says before the resurrection of Lazarus.

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

“Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”‬‬

John‬ ‭11‬:‭21‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT

Resurrection power is for you. Do you believe this, (insert your name here)?

What about this very famous reference?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And how does that sit with Jesus?

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.

John‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jesus’ resurrection power was with him in his mortal body. He had the right to his life, to lay it down or take it up. He chose obedience to his father’s plan—to do both.

Even now, as we read in Romans 8:11, his resurrection power is at work in us. Here is more evidence.

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.‬‬

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP

This same power, that resurrection power, is working in us and for us who believe.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT

Resurrection Sunday is being celebrated everyday inside everyone who believes.

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.‬‬

John‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬ ‭ESV

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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