As we gather this Resurrection Sunday, millions around the world unite in remembrance and celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a time that lies at the heart of the message we preach:
Christ is Risen - He is Risen indeed!
Throughout this past week, along with countless others, we have journeyed through the events of the Passion Week leading up to this momentous day. The last supper Jesus had with His disciples, the treacherous betrayal by one of his own, the agony of Gethsemane, His arrest and mock trial, scourging and beating by the Roman guards, heading to the crucifixion on Good Friday. These events must be connected to what happened on Resurrection Sunday. It is deeply profound that we stand here today, joining together with a chorus of people who for two millennia have been proclaiming that Jesus has Risen!
A Living Hope
In today's world, hopelessness pervades every corner of society. From the constant barrage of negative news to societal injustices and personal struggles, many find themselves grappling with feelings of despair and powerlessness. In the absence of a larger narrative to make sense of the world, individuals are left adrift, seeking meaning in a sea of uncertainty.
Amidst this prevailing sense of hopelessness, the Christian message stands as a beacon of light and truth. Rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it offers a living hope—a hope that transcends circumstances and guarantees a future secured by the power of God. The Apostle Peter wrote:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time 1 Peter 1:3-5
The apostle Paul refers to God as the "God of hope":
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
He is highlighting the significance of this divine attribute. In a world that has largely rejected Him, where hopelessness prevails, the resurrection calls us to remember the reality of our hope—a hope grounded in a living, risen saviour.
Reflecting on the events leading up to Easter Sunday, we recall the betrayal, abandonment, and suffering endured by Jesus—a poignant reminder of the depth of His sacrifice. The crucifixion, the most pivotal event in human history, culminated in the cry, "It is finished" (John 19:30) marking the completion of the redemptive work of Christ. The most important event in the entire history of the world up to this point!
“The cross is the centre of the world's history; the incarnation of Christ and the crucifixion of our Lord are the pivot round which all the events of the ages revolve. The testimony of Christ was the spirit of prophecy, and the growing power of Jesus is the spirit of history.”
Alexander Maclaren
Yet, it is the resurrection that truly defines the significance of this event. The empty tomb, the astonishment of the women, and the proclamation of angels all testify to the reality of Christ's victory over death. As the angels declared, "He is not here; He has risen" (Luke 24:6), we are confronted with the profound truth that death has been conquered, Satan has been defeated, and new life is available to all who believe in the gospel.
The impact of Christ's resurrection reverberates throughout history, transforming cultures, calendars, and hearts. In a world once dominated by pagan gods and Roman rule, the message of Jesus spread rapidly, transcending barriers of time and culture.
What sets Jesus apart from all other claimants to divinity is His resurrection—a historical event that validates His identity as the Son of God. As Paul asserts, Jesus:
who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:4
Today, as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, let us not only commemorate a past event but embrace a living hope—a hope that sustains us amidst life's trials and uncertainties. Let us fix our eyes on the living God, the Savior of all, and rejoice in the victory won on Easter morning.
As we proclaim, "Christ is Risen - He is Risen indeed," may we be filled with the joy and assurance that comes from knowing our hope is anchored in the resurrected Savior. In Him, we find not just a fleeting wish, but a steadfast promise of eternal life.