EASTER: GOD RAISED HIM UP

Luke 24:1-7 and Acts 10:34-43, 

On that first Easter, they went to the tomb and found it empty.  Two men, who were most likely angels, asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead.  Then they spoke words that helped changed human history, “He is not here, but He has risen” (vs. 6).  This became the heart of the message of the early Church and for the Church through the ages, right down to where you and I live today.  In fact, every Sunday the Church proclaims in one way or another, “He has risen.”  

In the first sermon ever preached to a Gentile audience, Peter shared the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  In Acts 10:34-43 we read what Peter said to the people,

³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. ³⁶ You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. ³⁷ You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.³⁹ “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, ⁴⁰ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. ⁴¹ He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (NIV)   

Today, all around the world preachers will preach this story.  It is a story of the greatest news the world could ever hear.  In Jesus we receive forgiveness of sins.  In Christ Jesus, the grace of God comes into the world, into us, if we will only let Him.  We call it Good News, life transforming news, good news that takes us from the death to life, and brings us to the place of new beginnings and awesome possibilities.

He is risen.

He is risen indeed. 

Receive the grace that God gives to you, and live.