Do you believe?

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. – Mark 16:6

Do you believe Jesus lived a perfect life on earth, died brutally, sacrificially, and lovingly on a cross, and was triumphantly resurrected on the third day?

If so, there is no part of life that the resurrection of Jesus does not touch.

The resurrection changes absolutely everything. It renews, restores, recreates, and breathes life into our deadness. It breathes strength into our weakness. It infuses hope into our desperation. It brings beauty from ashes.

“He has risen; He is not here,” is perhaps the most hope-filled, joy-filled, space and time-altering statement in the history of the universe.

The question then, for us, is this: are we living like we believe in the resurrection? Are we living as though the tomb is empty? Are we living with hope?

What we believe about the resurrection changes the way we wake up in the morning.

It changes what we see when we look in the mirror.

It changes how we respond to that Facebook post with which we so vehemently disagree.

It changes how we love the unlovable.

It changes how we go about our work.

It changes how we rest.

It changes how we respond to loss and suffering.

It changes how we value the stuff of this world.

It changes how we interact with the server who brings us our meal.

It changes how we treat our families.

It changes how we gain approval.

The resurrected Jesus changes us.

HE changes EVERYTHING.

Peter had denied Jesus three times, and Mary Magdalene had been possessed by demons...and yet both are radically loved, saved, and freed by Jesus Christ. No one and nothing is beyond the reach of His resurrection.

C.S. Lewis once said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

Father, thank you for raising us with Christ! Please help us to see everything in light of the resurrection of Jesus. Help us to seek the things that are above. Help us to seek You...to set our minds and hearts on You. Please shift our gaze from distractions here on earth. Help us to put to death the idols we raise up and the sins we run back to. Replace our anger and gossip with compassion and praise. Show us how to be Your resurrection-minded sons and daughters. Thank you for making us Yours! For loving us! Please grow our kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. We want to be people known by our extravagant forgiveness, love, and peace. We want to know You and Your Word deeply, and we want to live our lives for Your sake. Please give us hearts overflowing with thankfulness as we approach this Sunday and everyday. We love You, we worship You, and we thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Can't wait to worship with you this Sunday! 10 AM. What a joy it will be to celebrate and worship our reigning and risen King and Savior together. A taste of heaven. See you there!

References: Mark 16:1-8; Isaiah 61:3; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2; Colossians 3