Christ is risen!

 

The Angel announced to the women who came to the tomb, “‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.’ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. . . Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” (Mt. 28:5-8, 16-17, ESV)

 

He has risen, as he said! It is in the message of Easter that the power of the fulfillment of God’s promises is revealed in a special way, “for no word from God shall be void of power.” (Lk. 1:37, ASV) The empty tomb of Christ is the greatest challenge for the mankind and every individual. Like the disciples who saw the Risen One on the mountain, the whole world is divided into those who worship and those who doubt. Doubt, confusion, and fear are the ancient instruments of the evil one, with which he has rankled human souls since the time of Eden up to this day. But the Lord through the Angel calls each of us to believe His word: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see!”

 

Christ is risen, and therefore our death is conquered. According to the Apostle, “God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.” (1 Cor. 6:14, ESV) Christ is risen, and therefore our sins are forgiven and each of us is given all the benefits of redemption and the gift of eternal life! Christ is risen, and therefore He is in our midst and we can look into the future without doubt or fear! Christ is risen, and therefore our preaching is not in vain and your faith is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:14, ESV).

 

He has risen, as he said! These words remind us that the word of God does not return empty, but always accomplishes that which God purposes and succeeds in the thing for which He sent it. (Is. 55:11, ESV)

 

He has risen, as he said! So let us also not be among those who doubt, but worship the Risen One and make it known to all: “Christ is risen!”

 

Blessed Feast!