The Son of God was crucified for our sins as the Lamb of God on Good Friday, and He was raised from the dead for our immortality as the Author of Life on Easter Sunday.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said” (Matthew 28:5-6).
These breathtaking events are the bedrock of biblical Christianity, providing the promise of everlasting life and the hope of an eternal future in the presence of King Jesus.
My question for you is this: What effect does this have on us today? What difference does the resurrection of Christ make in your life right now?
John Piper answers this question brilliantly in a 13-minute presentation entitled, How Does Easter Change Us?
There are several ways that Christ’s resurrection changes us. He sheds light on five of them:
1. We share in Christ’s indestructible life.
2. We receive a new identity.
3. We experience unceasing help.
4. We acquire power to live righteously.
5. We can suffer well with our Savior.
Please take the time to listen to (or read) Dr. Piper’s compelling explanation of each of these effects of the resurrection. Key verses are provided for each point and I believe you’ll be greatly encouraged.
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-does-easter-change-us
My favorite is #4. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we receive the necessary power from God to live righteously. “In union with the risen Christ, there is power for defeating sin and walking in righteousness . . . In union with the risen Christ we have a new power for holiness and love.” As Paul says in Romans 6:4, “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
Yes, the power that raised Christ 2,000 years ago is available to us today. Paul describes this power as “immeasurable,” because it is the same power that God “worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
The resurrection of Christ has tremendous life-changing effects on all who believe, both in this life and next. Amen!
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