Good Friday ends on a somber note. Jesus’ followers were both terrified of being arrested and in complete shock, sorrow, and disbelief. The chief priests and religious leaders were relieved to have Jesus removed from their midst. Jesus’ physical death had Satan and his minions beside themselves with glee. But little did they all know that Easter Sunday was coming. Jesus Christ’s resurrection power was going to be unleashed!
What is Resurrection Power?
The short answer: God’s power to raise Jesus from the dead. But it doesn’t end there.
Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead grants us eternal life with Him- if we believe.
Same Power that Raised Jesus from the Dead
The Apostle Paul prays for the faithful believers in Ephesus that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised him for the dead and seated him at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:18-20.
Paul uses the Greek word for this great power- “dynamis”- which is where our English word “dynamite” comes from. This power is “incomparably great.” It is so potent and powerful that our imaginations can’t fathom it- but He releases it for us to use anyway.
You and me; insignificant and imperfect in so many ways- are gifted this divine power. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, which provides us with this power to do God’s work.
That sounds a bit scary to me, but rest assured, it’s not “switched on” by any works or words of our own.
The Power of His Resurrection
Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection claimed victory over the power of sin and death in the spiritual realm, but sin and death still have a hold on our physical bodies.
“If Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10.
The power that resurrected Jesus from the dead resurrects us into a new life which begins at the moment when, in faith, we accept His sacrifice on our behalf.
God made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our sins. It is only possible because of His unending mercy and great love for us-
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great loft with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ- it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5)
The power of His resurrection guarantees that God will resurrect us to eternal life in heaven when we die.
In the meantime, He also gives us His “dynamite” power to live as Christians in the world today. That means we have the power of the resurrection available to us every moment of our Christian life.
Living in the Power of the Resurrection
So it’s pretty clear, right? His sacrifice washes us clean, and His mighty power lives within us as His Holy Spirit.
But how do we use the power of the risen Christ? And when? For what purpose?
Paul expressed the same desire to live the resurrected life:
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.” Philippians 3:10.
He wanted to understand how this resurrection power of God would work in his life. Believers “walk in a newness of life” (Romans 6:4) through the resurrection, but Paul wanted to know how to experience His power in a tangible way within his new life.
Me too!
What we don’t have to do:
Work harder
Depend on our own power
Develop better habits
Become the best version of ourselves
Grit our teeth and keep pushing forward
(Some are good habits, but not the key we need to unlock His treasures.)
Living the Resurrection Life
God’s strength and power are within us right now. How can we use it in our own life?
When we know this in our hearts and believe it, it is ready to use. Begin by:
•Evaluating your life– our old life is gone. That is a promise and a gift we receive through faith!
“So if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.
When Jesus rose from the grave, we rose with Him into a new life. He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin and transform our lives.
The power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ helps us make new decisions and choices that align with God’s plan for our lives.
What sins do we need to overcome? What fruit should we cultivate?
•Make Jesus #1 in your life– above all else. This will be fully possible when we arrive in His presence in Heaven. Until then, we are a work in progress.
We strive to follow Jesus’ example; following in His steps. We keep our eyes on things above instead of the useless worldly things we cherish or that momentarily catch our eye.
His power helps us to reject temptation.
•Know Him through a dynamic personal relationship. Read and study His Word consistently to understand the person of Jesus.
We love and understand our best friends here on earth because we talk and share and spend copious amounts of time with them.
Invest this same time with Jesus, speak to Him often. Know Him as your King, your Redeemer, your Protector, your Shepherd, the list goes on and on!
Speak to Him often, listen for His guidance. His power reveals to us the knowledge of God. Ask for His insights, guidance, and wisdom!
•Confess your sin regularly and freely knowing that through His resurrection power we can claim His forgiveness, grace, and mercy.
•Trust in His love and power, no matter what trial comes. He tells us over and over to “fear not.”
He is on your side, will lead you through, and help you become more Christ-like. His power gives us the strength to achieve all these things.
The Resurrection Power of Jesus Christ
The resurrection of Christ fulfilled one of the promises of God. It is an invitation to put our trust in Him, and live new lives built on His love and the power of Christ.
That’s one thing that makes Easter such a special celebration. It reminds us we have said “Yes” to Him and share in His victory.
We live knowing that His love and power in our lives will allow us to never lose hope– no matter what trial, suffering, or persecution we face.
Our lives have a new eternal direction and purpose. It truly makes us a unique population!
When Jesus came to the disciples after His resurrection, He found them cowering behind locked doors. His first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19.
There were no words of shame for deserting and denying Him. They had no reason to fear. He had risen!
Jesus “breathed on them” (John 20:22) giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit and the resurrection power to do His will on earth.
He gave them a mission to go out and spread the Good News. Christ had risen indeed!
We Are An Easter People
While the author of the term “Easter people” is up for debate, it refers to the transformation we undergo thru the power of Jesus’ resurrection. We are alive anew with a firm belief that we are on our way to eternal life in heaven.
Not only are our sins forgiven, but we are also no longer slaves to sin.
Easter people live to imitate the life of Jesus. Our perspective changes from what we desire into what God desires for us.
Our lives have a new eternal direction and purpose. It truly makes us a unique population!
When Jesus came to the disciples after His resurrection, He found them cowering behind locked doors. His first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19.
There were no words of shame for deserting and denying Him. They had no reason to fear. He had risen!
Jesus “breathed on them” (John 20:22) giving them the gift of the Holy Spirit and the resurrection power to do His will on earth.
He gave them a mission to go out and spread the Good News. Christ had risen indeed!
The Resurrected Life
We are an Easter people living in a fallen world filled with difficult times. Sickness and disasters, broken relationships, poverty, wars, and persecution will always be present.
Some of those things will directly affect our own lives.
Walking in the Power of His Resurrection
Jesus is counting on us to show others His way of life. By His power, our words and actions can show faith, love, mercy, and forgiveness.
When we follow His examples and reflect His love, we show others how to overcome the troubles this life throws at us.
We have this resurrection power to use every day. Trust in His power and keep building your life with Him as the foundation.
Easter people treat every person they encounter as if they were Jesus Himself:
“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” Matthew 25:37-39.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” v40.
Use His resurrection power to serve wherever you see a need. This love for others glorifies our King.
We are so blessed! We live with a hope and a future revealed to us through Jesus. Let’s celebrate the hope of Easter and the Resurrection each day, all year long.
“Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade- kept in Heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4.
Alleluia!!
“Therefore 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, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ if Lord, to the glory of the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11
Blessings!
AnnMarie
All Scripture is from the NIV unless otherwise specified.
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As always, this was so good….one of my favorite lines you shared was this regarding how we combat sin in our lives:
(Some are good habits, but not the key we need to unlock His treasures)
A great line to keep in my mind.
Thanks, Ann!
Thanks Cindy. Having His power seems so impossible, but it was promised. I want to learn to lean into it and unlock it too!