He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Happy Easter

ryabuki April 20, 2014

Our family spent the day with a couple of international student friends – one from India and one from China. For the one from India, this is his first experience of Easter. It was fun watching it from his eyes experiencing new things. For the one from China, this is her third and as a believer in Christ, she can enjoy it with the confidence and joy of one who embraces everything that it stands for.

I just heard that a dear friend passed away. He and his family had been suffering with a long term ailment. It has not been easy to watch their circumstances. Hearing that brought great sadness.

Yet… today is Easter. Today is the day that our faith in Jesus revolves around. It is my goal to read through the New Testament 3 times this year and I just happened to be on 1 Corinthians 15 today. Throughout this passage the apostle Paul reminds us how vital the resurrection of Jesus is to us. He begins by recounting the events of the resurrection and the actual effects it had on believers of that time. Then he goes on to remind us that if Christ did not rise from the dead, everything followers of Jesus do and stand for are useless. As he puts it,

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins. 18 Furthermore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.

He then goes on to affirm…

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man… 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power… 28 And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

Then he describes that nature of our Resurrected body and the reason why Jesus’ death an resurrection were so critical…

50 Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen,

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Wow! What a powerful reminder of the reality of the resurrection of Christ! PRAISE GOD!

I am very sad at the loss of my brother in Christ. I wish I could have done more to help or be there at the end… having said that, I am rejoicing because now he can enjoy the “imperishable” and lavish himself in the “immortal” and like Paul, I am reminded that as one left behind, I have the responsibility to continue to be “outstanding in the work of the Lord” because what we do is not in vain… There are days even in our special work with international students we forget this and it is days like today that we are reminded of the truth… It’s not about me, it’s about God’s kingdom… that He WILL build. It will all be worth it in the end.

Love you all,

Roy

Tagged Easter