I don't know about you, but I love Resurrection Sunday!

Most of my childhood was spent hearing sermons about the death and burial of Jesus on Resurrection Sunday, although we did sing hymns about the Resurrection: "Christ Arose and He Lives," etc.

However, most of the day was focused on Jesus' suffering. I can remember being so confused. The Resurrection of Christ was supposed to be a great thing, yet everyone was sad and all "torn up" over the crucifixion.

It didn't make sense to me why we were celebrating and yet crying at the same time—but I was just a kid and thought I was stupid or something.

What a glorious day it was when I realized the truth of Resurrection Sunday. The source of my childhood confusion was the emphasis on the wrong portion of the story. The passion of Jesus Christ is important and significant; however, that is just a part of the whole.

Yes, Jesus died on the cross, but He isn't on the cross any more. In Acts 2:32, the Apostle Peter reported, "This Jesus hath God raised up." Let's not leave out the best part of the story—He arose!

The Second Part of the Story
Jesus' Resurrection won so many things for us. First of all, because He lives we can live. The Apostle Paul speaks of this fact in 1 Corinthians 15:4-23. He says it this way, "in Christ shall all be made alive." Hallelujah!

Romans 8 states:
But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(v. 11)
The Holy Spirit was released to spread the eternal life of God into our beings. If the Spirit of God had not raised Jesus from the dead, we would have no hope of eternal life. But…He did and we do!

Eternal life is ours right now.

The second thing the Resurrection gave us is freedom. Hebrews 2:14-15 declares that Jesus destroyed the devil and his power of death, delivering us from bondage that comes from the fear of death.

Revelation 1:18 states, "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

The Bonds Are Broken
Satan no longer has dominion over us; sin no longer has dominion over us; death no longer has dominion over us; and fear no longer has dominion over us. We can walk in perfect liberty, free from all the works of the devil.

Another thing that the Resurrection of Jesus won for us is victory over the power of the enemy.

Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, made an open show of them, and triumphed over them. Then, He declared that all power had been given unto Him and sent us out to preach, teach, and do the work of the ministry.

For a final point, I want to talk about what Jesus' Resurrection won for us as found in Ephesians 2:5-6: "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Glory to God! I delight in knowing that I am seated with Jesus in heavenly places. How about you?

He Died For Us
When Jesus was resurrected, He rose from the dead for us. When He was exalted to the right hand of the Father—He was exalted for us.

We are joint-heirs with Christ and are loved by the Father even as Jesus was loved by the Father. We have been given a position in heaven and in the kingdom of God. We have been made kings and priests unto God by the resurrection power of God.

Resurrection Sunday is coming. This year make the quality decision not to stop at the cross. Press through to the empty tomb and rejoice in the provisions of Resurrection.

Celebrate Resurrection this year, for—Hallelujah! Jesus is Alive!

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