Happy Easter!

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This Easter Sunday morning millions of people all over the world will gather to celebrate the astounding event that took place over two thousand years ago when a Man called Jesus raised up from the dead, folded His grave clothes neatly and got out of the tomb! My hair grows just thinking about it! The crowd saw the soldiers nail His hands and feet to the cross, suspend Him between earth and heaven, heard His ragged cries and saw Him breathe His last. Yet, three days later, "He had risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28 : 6).

A time of miracles

So what does Easter mean to those of us who believe? It means a time of miracles. By His resurrection, Jesus performed His greatest miracle ever, bringing down the curtain on His extraordinary performance here on earth. If Jesus could raise Himself from the dead, He can raise you up from death to life. I'm not speaking of physical death, although He can do that too, but spiritual death - the one that separates you from God and keeps you from being all that you were created to be.

A new beginning

As He drew the curtain on His life here on earth, Jesus was preparing for a new chapter with His Father in heaven. God "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2: 9-10).  Jesus' work was by no means finished. He would now ascend to heaven to be once more with His Father, interceding for us until the time comes for Him to return to earth.

A time of triumph

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was nothing compared to His triumph on Easter Sunday morning. By His resurrection, Jesus "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1: 10). Not only did he destroy death, but by "His death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--" (Hebrews 2 : 14). Jesus also overcame hell. "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" (Revelation 1 : 18). 

So what does all this mean to us? It means because of Easter we have hope, victory and newness of life. We know that He who was crucified is now alive and well, and He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us. We know that we do not have to fear death, or the devil, because Jesus has overcome them both, and in Him we have eternal life. In Him everything has been made new. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5 : 17). Have a blessed Easter.

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• Celebrating Easter (pumabydesign001.wordpress.com)
• Jesus is Real to Me - A Reflection on the Gospel For Easter Sunday (adw.org)