. These meditations for the remaining days leading to Easter Sunday include reflections on Jesus' death and resurrection. What does it mean that the joy is glorified? I want to understand what happened., Heres an illustration. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. In mercy, hes going to be saying, Well, done, good and faithful servant. You will scarcely be able to believe it. What a joy it is to think that we will one day see the risen Jesus. Stories. The Christians were shot dead immediately. Everything needed for you to experience peace with God and have eternal life is accomplished. Why do I think that? Because a word has been touched by the Holy Spirit. You were not a religious person. Verse six: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by the fiery trials, these various trials. Second Corinthians 6:10: sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. Thats exactly what we have here. In Christ, we have a love that endures, a hope that perseveres, and a power that keeps us going. The Last SupperWhat is Maundy Thursday? In essence, they are two sides of the same coin. And my eyes see possibilities. It is an everlasting picture of God's grace and love towards us. Youre walking out, somebody puts up a microphone. It will be unfading. The resurrection is one of the historical features of Christianity that grounds its truth claims and shows it superiority to other religions. And with the rising of His Body will come also the rising of priestly and . Your generosity is both a blessing and encouragement. He Is Risen. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.". It alters us all. I think it means that we know that were going to be glorified out there. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, But Almighty God, in his loving kindness, devised a plan of redemption. The gospel is spoken. If you try to carve your life and say, I got happy days and sad days, you got a big problem. My debt is paid. You become united to Christ, his death counts for yours, no more sin. But Christ is risen, and because He is risen we will rise with Him. The hope Jesus gives us the hope of eternal life cannot be taken away. My question is: What did you experience in the new birth? He can also turn our fear into peace! In a time when so many people are suffering, grieving, and isolated we need to be reminded that Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Thats what happened in the new birth. There was finding of the Rosetta Stone (which was the key to reading Egyptian hieroglyphics), the invention of the printing press, and the discovery of penicillin. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faithmore precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by firemay be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Learn about the riches He gives to all who are His. The hope wasnt there before the birth. Because He is risen, we too will be raised with a glorious new body! Have You Read Jesus Last Will and Testament? Because His power over the grave is living hope, the hope that Christ offers us it's constant, active, and it lasts forever. Some time ago, I stumbled across a fascinating Newsweek article from 1968 entitled Soul on Ice. 1 Cor 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Our joy now is glorified, receiving, present tense, not just in the future, the salvation of your souls. Swallowed up by life. Thats the literal translation. May this Holy Season serve as a source of renewal and hope for all. We pray this week of meditation and worship renews your joy in . Because Jesus rose from the grave, He became for believers the guarantee that, one day, we too shall overcome the grave. You hear the story, and different from all other times, as youre looking at the Christ of the story, light comes in, and youre looking, and you say, Youre magnificent. The centurion's song from the foot of the cross: Journey to the Cross: Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, Sadness and Despair: The Darkest Days of All Time, The Father's, Son's and Believer's Perspectives of the Cross. 13 They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. What are the testings of these various trials? The resurrection of Jesus Christ did not only change the people in the time of the New Testament it continues to change lives today. Thats the way the thought works, so hes actually saying, What is it that you have to hope for? 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. We become different people. And all it takes is faith. Empty tomb symbolizing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ Easter and the cross of sacrifice and suffering and bright light background (iStock). Webster's Bible Translation Thats what we have in Christ. Three Days in the Heart of the EarthThe Days of DarknessSadness and Despair: The Darkest Days of All TimeObituary of Jesus: Body Stolen or Risen? A Remez In Psalm 22? Though you dont now see him, you love him. [Jhn 20:1-18 ESV] 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Where was that? She goes from weeping to joy. I have stored up, I have treasured up, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.. Then Jesus said to them, ' Do not be afraid. I hope you can see the difference. Praise the Lord for the hope we have today because of his death and resurrection. You dont have to be able to explain it. Its mind-blowing to think about, but its the reason we believe in modern-day miracles, and can overcome unthinkable odds even when a parent may have given up on us, or a nation faces a well-armed adversary, or a doctor says theres no hope for a cure. Thats whats going to be praised. Every day is a sad day, and every day is a happy day. Do these two reasons nail it?Why do we call it good [Friday]?Were you there when they crucified my Lord?How is Jesus Like a Worm? United with Him through faith, we have the promise that as he was brought back to life, so we shall also have eternal life. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Thats why if I they say, Christian or Muslim, Im not going to waver. Christian. I love him. All rights reserved. How does that work? It changes everything in board meetings. It was free. When we die, we will immediately be with Him in heaven. You know youre alive today not because you have birth certificate, right? You see him, and hes preferable. Hes going to come again. You just need to come to Him as you are. But the Bible tells us that because Christ died on the cross and rose from the grave, our faith in him will give us the same power to live the Christian life that was used to bring Him back from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). If youre a Christian, you have a living hope. Come and see the place where he lay. Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus. We need your help to keep our site ad-free. Not because we were born into a Christian household, not because we followed a religion, not because we were "good enough." You have a living hope. Now, youre one of these weirdos. What does Easter mean to you?. It is a profound event that changes a consoling person into a joyous one. Foggy start of the day, hoping for . LAWYERS DEMAND NORTHERN VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOW TEACHER TO QUOTE BIBLE VERSE IN EMAIL: 'DISCRIMINATION'. No voices can tell you this. The real question is once you were doubtful and disinterested, and now, youve got a conviction that you could die for. And because He is risen. And the song that rises in me. Below are 5 wonderful truths of Easter that we hope encourage you as you celebrate the Risen Savior. Hope in the Lord teaches us patience. I was taken by the beauty of the Christ of that story. It says in 2 Corinthians 4:6: The God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. What is that? 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. There is one answer: the word. If He hadnt come out of the grave, we would be hopeless. And it's not a . Hope is what the world needs now, and the resurrection gives it abundantly. It changes the way you talk. 17 Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Legal Statement. Thats the point of this message. With overwhelming evidence, its hard to deny He rose from the dead. Abraham's Bosom? 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Jesus then vanished from their sight but they found the other disciples and said to them The Lord has risen Indeed. This changed everything for the disciples. We will rise. A New York Timesbest-selling author and Gold Medallion winner, he has written more than 50books. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! You lose focus on Jesus, you lose memory of his word, youre a sitting duck for the devil. He is risen proves that Jesus will love us to the end. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. $15.99 Other new and used from $9.94. Almost too good to be true. Whom are you seeking? Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. 16 Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means Teacher). After He was crucified after He died and was buried Jesus kept going. Hes unique in the fact that He came from God in His origin, unique in the fact that He was born of a virgin, unique because He lived a life without sin, and unique because He came out of the grave victorious over death. He rose from the dead, and hes sending his Holy Spirit. His death counts for me, and Im united to his life. But just like Mary, Jesus knows your pain, and He knows your name. When were seeing him as we ought, and it goes up and down. Sign up for our email digest and be encouraged by inspiring stories, receive special discounts and stay informed about ministry updates, events, and new products. I. Only on rare occasions in any field of study does something occur which changes everything. After He fell down carrying His cross, Jesus kept going. Thats why were asking, Whats the basis of your hope? Were still sinful, yes, but Hes still in the business of saving us. What does he mean? 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because (C)we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise upif in fact the dead do not rise. In fact, it is the resurrection that Peter is primarily referring to when he says always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have. We have hope because He is Risen! Would you do that? In the twinkling of an eye. Easter Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ this is the most joyous occasion worldwide It symbolizes the victory of life and hope over despai. You were born again, underneath your new birth is great mercy from God, and he did it through the resurrection from the dead. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Ephesians 1:45 NLT). You hold on, and years later, you come out, and youre stronger, and Christ is more precious and more real. Paradise. And dance on the callous grave of war. In a time of ever-increasing exhaustion, constant stress, and world-weariness, Jesus offers us rest. I could no longer go away. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. How does the new birth come about through the resurrection? The very purpose of His resurrection is to set us free as Jesus made all things new. Dr. David Jeremiahis among the most well-known Christian leaders in the world. Author Jason F. Wright invites readers to rise above life's challenges with a message of hope. Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:12 NKJV). (Reflect and Prepare short video)Have You Sat At The Masters Table? Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The word blazes with Christ and in the sight of his glory. Our culture teaches us to have self-confidence, but believers are to place their confidence in the Lord. You dont need to remember how you got into that glory, but everybody who is a Christian has been born of God again from the first time and have a living hope. Fixing our hope on the future in Christ builds a deeper desire for pure, holy lives ( 1 John 3:1 -3; 1 Cor 15:33 -34, 58). . ALL: In thanks and praise, we shall worship God! Im assuming he wants you to know. And poverty will be history. When He returns, we will dwell with Him in the new earth. You sing, you read your Bible, and you dont sleep around anymore. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Apr 20, 2017 - Explore Lucy Trousas-Iske's board "He is Risen, our Hope!", followed by 331 people on Pinterest. Im going to praise him. Because Christ has risen, death no longer has the last say; because he is risen, the sting of death has lost its power; because Jesus is risen we have a hope that will never perish, spoil or fade.this was Heidi's Hope, the hope of Heaven. Mohammed is dead. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. It was easy to dismiss these sagas as legendary. As you prepare your heart for Easter, find renewed meaning in these verses and insight . Total ignorance of a person makes love meaningless. 3. Whats the basis of your living hope? After He was arrested, sentenced to die, and beaten, Jesus kept going. He has risen." When everyone who had followed Jesus watched him suffer and die, they thought their hope had been crucified with him. Please support Reasons for Hope* Jesuswith a donation of $5, $10, $20, or more. The Easter angel proves it: He is not here, he has risen just as he said. Because Jesus lives, we have a hope that lives on. Colossians 1:18, "And He is the head of the body, the Church. "He Is Risen" by David Roper The hope of the Christian, that anchor sure and steadfast, is the hope of heaven. Thats how I was born again. The Basin & The TowelMaundy Thursday until Easter Sunday (video)Whats your Judas experience? It is not subject to shifting circumstances or our present worries. It's as if He said, "I can't wait any longer. Jesus Christ is risen today. Romans 4:25 (ESV) Incredible, isn't it? 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. I take these together. You didnt care about religion. 'Greetings,' He said. He was the first to rise, never to die again, and we will follow after Him. I know of no other way to live the Christian life than to store up his word so that all day long, every day, the Holy Spirit has something to set on fire when he touches it. 325 likes, 15 comments - Alive to God (@alivetogod) on Instagram: "Matthew 28:6 'He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.' - We can rejoice be." Alive to God on Instagram: "Matthew 28:6 'He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.' What did you feel? Joseph Smith is dead. John 11:25-26 - Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. We need to help each other. Its as if God said, Im going to keep your inheritance. And He knows the pain of isolation abandoned by His disciples and crying out on the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46). Because He is risen, all who belong to Him will rise again. Because Jesus lives, we have a hope that lives on. He. this. Peter wants you to know for your own soul, and he wants you then to be able to talk about it with other people. Its over. What significance do colors have in the Bible? Kids got boxes full of candy bars, and theyre going to charge you two dollars for their candy bars because theyre raising money for their school. We believe Scripture's very clear message that humanity was separated from God because He is holy and we are not. Is Leonard Cohens Hallelujah a Christian Song? Thus what we do in this life is done out of thankfulness to the Lord. Were you there when they crucified my Lord? 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Whats the answer to the question, whats the basis of your hope? Where did he go? One of the things I exalt in most is he kept me. Their worlds shattered. The resurrection changed the ancient practice of a 7th day Sabbath and replaced it with a Sunday sabbath. This is almost too good to be true. First Samuel 3:21: The Lord appeared to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. Thats an amazing statement. Come and see the place where he lay. Market data provided by Factset. The stories of the polytheistic Greeks were just stories, not tied in to the reality of this word. Saint Paul wrote that, unless Christ rose from the dead, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:17).Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us; but it is His Resurrection that gives us the promise . (John 13-17), Blessed is the King -- A Palm Sunday video, Walking with Jesus Tested by the Chief Priests and Elders, Whats your Judas experience? Hes gathering the people. There are three answers given to that question in verse 3. We have been born again unto a living hope. This triumphant, history-altering, life-changing truth will be celebrated once again this Easter by millions upon millions of people all over the world. The stories were from many years ago. . It is not subject to shifting circumstances or our present worries. The meaning of by great mercy means youve been born unto hope, which further means all your hope is by mercy all your hope and new birth are by underserved kindness, which should fill you with a sense of great confidence. The stories of the polytheistic Greeks were just stories, not tied in to the reality of this word. Mark 16:1-8. And then, thirdly, undefiled there will be no sinfulness in it, no defect in it. The very purpose of this Easter weekend reminds us, no matter what we face today, what we've been through, or what uncertainties tomorrow may hold, Christ is risen and is our Hope. Can you do that? 6. . Our hope is founded on the unchanging Word of God and secured by His resurrection. Leader: Our eyes have been opened; ALL: Our refuge in trouble is in the Lord. The word inheritance implies future. Im arguing, that kind of knowing, the light streaming in, the lights going on, the glory of Christ being manifest to you is the only kind of knowing that will keep you from wavering as they point a gun at you because if you have the kind of confidence that is based on your parents faith, tradition, historical arguments and inference, logical deductions, you know what your soul is going to do at that moment. Itll never fade. Okay? The resurrection is the most important doctrine of the Bible. This is worth repeating: we are to live lives of joy, assured of Gods love for us. We know that because the Bible tells us so. But you wonder if they might have been incredulous, unbelieving. Third, Christs resurrection. It has flamed with his appearance in your heart, and you have become more like him. that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email). If you say, I love Joe, and they say, Tell me about Joe, you say, I dont know Joe. They say, Well, thats meaningless. Love is a response to what you know. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. This is not a Got Questions? Nobody made you up. Easter shouts in the empty silence of a dark tomb that God is still at work. The new birth is the point where that union happens. Or to put it positively, whats your strategy for day by day maintaining a living passion for Jesus? About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . According his great mercy . The Head of the Body is Risen, therefore the Body herselfthe Bride, the Churchis risen and rising in Him. Maybe my mind is not so logical after all, and all my deductions over all the years were just a little bit off. Where did it come from? But if we humble ourselves, and depend on the power of God for help, He will give us strength beyond our understanding. 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The stories of the new birth come about through the resurrection is one of the Body, the author finisher...