The resurrection of Jesus Christ means everything to us as Christians. Our faith is meaningless without it. As Paul wrote, “… and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17 NASB95) But Jesus has been raised from the dead, and He is alive forevermore! And because of His resurrection, amazing things have happened—and will happen—to those who belong to Him.
Because Jesus was raised, you have been raised with Him. When you were baptized into Christ, you died with Jesus, were buried with Him, and were raised up with Him (Romans 6:3-4). At the moment of your baptism, through faith, you were made alive with Him! As we read in Ephesians chapter two, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:4-6 NASB95) Not only were we raised with Jesus, but God seated us with Him in the heavenly places. This is a current reality for those in Christ—a spiritual reality which must be understood through the eyes of faith.
Because Jesus was raised, we have been raised spiritually, and we will be raised bodily. There is a glorious day coming when Jesus will return and resurrect our mortal bodies. Our bodies will be raised in power and in glory (1 Corinthians 15:43). They will be raised imperishable. (1 Corinthians 15:50). They will be changed in the twinkling of an eye(1 Corinthians 15:52). Our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body. (Philippians 3:21) “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:28-29 NASB95)
May we praise God with all our hearts this day for the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a resurrection which He has graciously allowed us to participate in.
—Scott Colvin
while today 