This Easter season brings the word resurrection to the surface in conversation, in preaching and singing all over Christendom. It is a doctrine that brought much argument and criticism to the early church, and the world doesn’t understand it to this day. Let’s take a fresh look at the word resurrection. That word in the New Testament means to stand up and to rise. In the Old Testament in Isaiah 26:19, these terms might best describe the word resurrection; life, to rise and to awaken. Isaiah said, the dead shall leave their bodies, they shall rise, O dwellers in the dust, awake and sing for joy. Isaiah was talking to living people about resurrection. That is important to our understanding of scripture. Resurrection not only has happened, it continues to happen in people who are alive unto God.
Paul said it this way, if we died with Him, then it is certain we shall be united with Him by a resurrection like His. Ephesians. 2:6 says, we have been raised up with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We’re raised up now; resurrection has come! If we are buried with Him, so we will be raised to newness of life.
This year look to the cross; don’t be afraid of the death that took place there, but look on, look on into eternity. Look at His resurrection since you died with Him, you are raised with Him. The Holy Spirit said through Paul, the power of God was able to raise Jesus from the dead and place Him at His right hand, God is certainly able to raise you from death to His right hand. United together in the likeness of His death, we shall live in the likeness of His resurrection power, see Romans 6:5.
Pastor Danny.
