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He is Risen!

Pastor Jim Quigley

Matthew 28:1-10

There is a certain finality that comes when you bury someone. When the coffin closes and it descends six feet down into the ground, there is this sense of “This chapter has closed.” Coffins and graves are permanent, not temporary. Except for Jesus. His tomb was borrowed for three days. And then He rose from the dead!

The women arrived early on Sunday morning to administer more spices (Luke 24:1). But they found the stone rolled back and an angel clothed in pure light shining bright as lightning, sitting on top of the stone. And He delivered good news of great joy to these faithful women. And the angel’s message contained three words that changed everything: He is risen! Jesus has risen from the grave! He has conquered sin and death!

If you trust and treasure Jesus, and if you receive Him as your Lord and Savior, then He has paid off all of your debt due to sin. He has borne the wrath of your sin so that you would not have to. He has set you free from your enslavement to sin. He has clothed you in His righteousness so that you are approved of and delighted in by God the Father. You have been adopted into God’s family and are a co-heir with Christ. You have inherited eternal life in which you will delight in the presence of God forever and ever. For those who believe and receive Him, all of this is accomplished because He is risen. 

Sin no longer has dominion. Death no longer has its sting. The victory belongs to Christ. And for those who trust in Christ, our tombs will be temporary too. We might borrow them for longer than three days, but one day He will raise our bodies and give us new resurrected bodies to dwell with Him forever. Oh what overwhelming joy comes with the words, “He is risen!”

Reflection: Consider the empty tomb and the risen Christ. Do you believe this to have happened? If so, how does it change your life? If you truly believe that Jesus has risen from the grave, then how has your life radically changed as a result? If Jesus rose from the dead, is He worthy to be worshiped and followed?