RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Today, according to the church calendar, we commemorate Christ’s resurrection, which we do every Sunday since the early church began worshipping on the first day of the week (Sunday) in response to Christ’s resurrection.

We reflect on the truth that Jesus rose because of our justification (Rom. 4:25). As the Apostle Paul declared, “If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:14, 17, 20).

This is the written record of Scripture! Christ has risen! He is risen indeed! So then, the Christian’s faith in Jesus Christ is not empty, believers are not still in their sins, and Gospel preaching is not in vain! And so we rejoice that Scripture, our ultimate authority, tells us that Christ has risen from the dead.

He has satisfied the demands of God’s Law on behalf of His people. The Father has received and accepted the work of Christ as full payment for the sins of His people, which is declared by the fact that He raised up Jesus from the dead. Believers are righteous in Christ, they are made acceptable in Him!

What a glorious wonder! What a blessed truth that produces joy unspeakable and full of glory! May the Lord bless His people all around the world this day with His Spirit and Word. May He redeem sinners and sanctify the saints as people hear the final Word on the matter – “Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20).

—Pastor S. Henry