Resurrection of Jesus!

What does the resurrection day stand for?  It stands for an empty tomb that provides hope in a hopeless world.  It stands for a new life, eternal life.  Jesus Christ, through His resurrection, is referred to as the first fruit.  1 Cor 15:20 says, "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."  The resurrected Jesus appeared to Mary and many others.  And millions of people down the centuries have met Jesus firsthand, followed Him, and let Him transform their lives.  This resurrection day, the Lord who moved the stone that day is here with us, willing to move the stones in our life if we would only let Him be the Lord of our lives!

Matthew 12:20-21 says, "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out."  This is a beautiful attribute of God.  A bruised reed, a smoldering wick, describes many of us today.  We may have been bruised by the trials of life, sickness, harsh words from friends and family, or our failures.  Maybe you feel like a smoldering wick today.  At one time, passion for God, ministry, and life may have been intense, but the winds of strife might have blown out the flame.  There are many bruised reeds and smoldering wicks in the Bible.  A woman standing before an angry crowd that wanted to punish her for her sins, a leper shunned by society, and the blind man on the side of the road were all bruised reeds and smoldering wicks.  And the world is so good at breaking those reeds and snuffing the life out of those smoldering wicks.  But Jesus said He would not break a bruised reed nor put out the smoldering wick.  And there lies our hope.  The resurrection, which validates every promise Jesus ever made, is the good news, and that gives us hope and encouragement when everything else may look bleak.

My friend, the great message of resurrection day is that if Jesus Christ was powerful enough to overcome death and the grave, He is powerful enough to move the stones blocking our life.  The same power enables us to overcome sin and live victorious, holy lives.  The resurrection gives us strength and courage to face every life situation, for He is the same Emmanuel God who has promised to be with us all the days of our lives.

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