As Easter approaches, let’s stir up our thankfulness and joy and admiration and amazement at what the resurrection of Jesus means for us. The curse of our fallen nature is that what once thrilled us becomes ordinary. The reality hasn’t changed. We have changed.
This is why the Bible exists. Peter says of his two letters that they are written to “stir up” or “arouse” by means of “reminder.”
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder. (2 Peter 3:1)
So let’s stir up our sincere minds by way of reminder.
What has God done in raising Jesus from the dead? Here are a few biblical answers.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death will never have any dominion over him again.
Romans 6:9: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”
Acts 13:34: “He raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption.”
Because of the resurrection, Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God.
Romans 8:34: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning and guarantee of our resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:20: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
2 Corinthians 4:14: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”
We were raised with Jesus so that our true life is hidden now in him.
Ephesians 2:6: “[God] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:1-4: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. . . . Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
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