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HE IS RISEN!(EASTER SUNDAY)

SCRIPTURE READINGS
ISAIAH 25:6-9
1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11
MARK 16:1-8

REFLECTION
Never in the history of the world and all religions have we read about the death and resurrection of a person except Jesus Christ. He said He was going to die and resurrect on the third day and surely, He did! Indeed, He is Risen! And we Christians all over the world celebrate the day of Easter to rejuvenate our faith and to glorify the risen Lord.

What then is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection?
1. He has overcome death and has guaranteed our eternal salvation.
2. Because He is risen, salvation has come to all.
3. Those who search for the risen Christ shall surely find him.

In our first Scripture reading, Isaiah 25: 6-9, Isaiah prophesied about a period in time when the Lord will refresh His people and take away the covering of death and suffering upon His people. “And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken”.(Isaiah 25:7-8) When the enemy we fear most, death, has been defeated by the risen Lord then our salvation is guaranteed. His second coming will bring resurrection to the departed Faithfuls and salvation to both the resurrected and the living Faithfuls. Isaiah 25:9 tells us “It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Beloved in the Lord, a Christian must not fear death because Jesus, the risen Lord has given us victory over death. We must however serve God faithfully with our whole heart, mind and might before our day of sleep comes. It is only the faithful who will be refreshed and be the beneficiaries of the Lord’s salvation.

Paul recounts the evidence indicating the fact that Jesus indeed resurrected in our second Scripture reading, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. What is profound is that Paul who was the persecutor of the church became the beneficiary of the risen Lord. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:8-10 “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I need you to open your heart for the risen Lord to transform your life. If Paul who was a murderer became a beneficiary of the grace of God through Jesus’ resurrection, then I want to assure you that no matter how burdensome your sins are, our Lord can save and transform you into a useful instrument of His grace. Luke 19:10 assures us that “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” He can change your name and destiny and bring about renewal in your life. Perhaps you are still fornicating, addicted to illicit drugs, stealing and taking part in corrupt practices at the detriment of others, you might have been the reason someone is suffering today but when you go on your knees and repent, like Paul, the Lord can transform your life make you useful for His purpose, grant you peace, grace and eternal life. Let this Easter be a resurrection from your sinful ways into a life of transformation and victory in Jesus. Halleluiah!!!

Beloved in the Lord, the risen Lord is still with us today, those who seek Him in faith shall surely find him. In our third Scripture reading Mark 16:1-8, we are given the evidence that Jesus indeed resurrected on the third day. “But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone because they were afraid. (Mark 16:4-8) In other words, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were the first to discover this fact and reported it to Peter and the rest. Our devotion and commitment to Christ will lead us to good news and supernatural occurrences. Jesus assures us in Matthew 7:7-8 to “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” Like the fearless and courageous women who discovered the news of the Risen Christ, when we also seek the Lord we shall experience the riches of His glory and grace in our lives. Dear friend in the Lord, like Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, are you willing to experience the resurrection power of the Lord in your life and also have a testimony? Those who seek the risen Lord in faith shall find Him and when you find Him your life will never be the same. Psalm 34:4 says “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears”. May you experience the risen Lord this Easter and may your life be filled with joy and testimonies about what the risen Lord has done and continue to do in your life.

In summary, the risen Lord has overcome death and guarantees our eternal salvation, this salvation is not for only the righteous but for all including repentant sinners. Those who search for the risen Christ in faith shall surely find him and their lives shall never be the same. May His grace and Peace continue to be with us. Amen