Arise

A snapshot from several years ago, but the good news is still the same...

The beautiful conclusion of the Easter story is summed up with this familiar verse: He is not here, but He has risen (Luke 24:6). What an awesome and fundamental truth of the Christian faith:

He is not here. Jesus is no longer in the grave--His mercy, His wisdom, His righteousness was not bound in a tomb. Death, darkness, and the devil could not keep Him strapped down. The only thing He left behind was our sin.

He has risen. Jesus is living and active. Jesus is all powerful. Jesus is the Loving God. Jesus is the Pursuing God.

And what does this resurrected Jesus desire most? He longs for each of us to also experience a resurrected life. When we trust Him as the One true God, who came and died and rose again, we too can walk in newness of life with His Spirit working in and through us. Our sins have been nailed to the cross and left behind. Now, He asks us to rise up:

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 4:14

My friend, are you a believer in Christ but still in the tomb... of fear, of doubt, of dismay? Or are you someone who has never trusted Jesus fully, but you just keep feeling a tug in your heart? Wake up to His wonder this day. Let Him pull you out of your tomb into His glorious light. He is longing for you to come and follow Him. Hear and receive His words:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:12

Yes, arise my sisters and brothers, let each of us live in the all powerful presence of our resurrected Lord and Savior. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).