He is Risen, Indeed

He Is Risen!  He is Risen, indeed!  

That call and response have echoed across the millennia as Christians around the world past and present celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels articulate the phrase, “He is Risen” in some way and thus, this call and response has become part of our worship when we gather on Easter Sunday. 

We also have other traditions associated with Easter. Easter eggs, baskets and the Easter Bunny and these traditions are fun and wholesome. My wife plans to create colorful Easter baskets for our adult children when they come home for Easter this year – there will be MUCH candy! 

These are all wonderful traditions!  However, when something becomes tradition, part of ritual or liturgy, it has the potential of becoming diminished in meaning. 

This Sunday will be Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy week which then culminates with Resurrection Sunday. As we prepare for Holy Week, may I encourage you to pause and consider the meaning and impact of the resurrection. What are its implications?  What if the resurrection didn’t happen?  

Theologian, Wayne Grudem, says: 

“By raising Christ from the dead, God the Father was in effect saying that he approved of Christ’s work of suffering and dying for our sins, that his work was completed, and that Christ no longer had any need to remain dead.” 

When Jesus went to the cross on our behalf, he took on himself the sins of all humanity.  

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:8-11) 

By his resurrection, he defeated sin, death, and Satan’s curse so that we might be saved. 

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 16-17). 

Take time this week to reflect, ponder, and pray about the significance of the resurrection, not only for you, but for all humanity.  

Happy Easter!