Death Could Not Hold
Him
Pastor Steve Nash
This week,
we have reason to celebrate! From a
cold, dark cave to the father’s right hand!
Of all the major religions of the world, Christianity basis its claims
on the acceptance of the Resurrection of its Founder!
“If Easter
be not true, then faith must mount on
broken wings, then hope no more immortal spring, then love must lose her mighty
urge, life proves a phantom and a dirge, if Easter be not true!” -- Unknown
Can a woman
stop the birth of her baby? Of course
not! If that stone door was not removed
by the angel, the sun, moon and stars would have demanded His release! You cannot keep God in the grave! Jesus was deity as well as human and you
cannot kill God!
Jesus
possesses the office of Eternal Priest – “A Priest forever according to the
order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:20). Eternal
King – “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (Ps. 45). He is our Eternal Shepherd (Heb. 13:20). Death could not hold Him because of the
things to follow. He would reside at the
Father’s right hand as our Great High Priest!
If Jesus did
not rise from the tomb there would be no assurance of our resurrection (1 Cor.
15:17). There would be no certainty of
being made right with God (Rom. 4:25). “He was raised for our justification!” There would be no advocate in heaven for we
who believe (1 John 2:1). “If anyone
sins, we have an advocate.” We have a
Lawyer who is also our Judge!
The
Ignorance of People Cannot Darken the Light.
“The poor have the gospel preached to them and they are the ones who are
rich in faith.” “The people who sat in
darkness saw a great light.” The light
cannot be extinguished. “The wealthy and
the elite shall be humbled and the lowly shall be exalted.” Earth and its inequities; heaven and its
equalities! The evil influences of this
world shall NOT defeat His kingdom! They
can take our money; they can take our belongings; they can even take our lives;
BUT THEY CANNOT TAKE OUR FAITH and OUR ETERNITY WITH GOD!
Remember,
the Gospels do NOT explain the Resurrection; the Resurrection explain the
Gospels. Belief in the Resurrection is
NOT an appendage to the Christian faith, it IS the Christian faith! Our faith is in a Living God who has made us
alive in Christ Jesus. As struggling
sinners, we have escaped the bonds of guilt, shame and Satan himself. Ps. 124:7 – “My soul has escaped as a bird
from the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken and I have escaped!”
The
struggling Christian shall NOT be held by trials, temptations, affliction and depression. “For many are the afflictions of the
righteous…” Our bodies shall NOT be held
in the grave. “For the dead in Christ
shall rise first, then we who are alive shall join…” All creation will burst forth with
resurrection life when He gives the signal.
Nothing can stop it!
There is no
limit to the mighty power and endless grace of Jesus Christ! He opens the prisons of justice and death
with infinite ease. He will redeem not
only the soul, but the body as well. Because
He Lives, We Live Also!
Have you
lost a loved one recently? Jesus
temporarily lost Lazarus, but what did He do?
Is there sickness in your family?
He heals all manner of diseases or He waits to receive anyone who
departs from this world. Are you
struggling financially? Our God lives
and He is rich! He will provide all our needs!
Are you sad and depressed? He
lives as our Comforter, Counselor and Companion!
Your life
and testimony is perhaps the greatest proof of the Resurrection! It transformed Peter’s courage. It transformed James’ faith. It transformed Thomas’ doubt. It transformed Saul into Paul! Our Lord’s resurrection transformed my
selfishness, rebelliousness, ignorance, hopelessness and stubbornness and made
a new creation that will see the risen face of Jesus some day. Because of Good Friday we can look back and
not be afraid. Because of the
Resurrection we can look ahead and not be afraid!
