Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen Indeed!
Yesterday was Easter here in Ukraine. As I sat in the service, listening to the special music being played and straining to hear Bruce as he translated the message for us, I turned in my bible to the introduction of Esther (the book I am going to study this month) and started reading. Not two sentences in, I audibly hear the words “be present” spoken to my soul (figures that I just wrote a blog about being present, and already need to be reminded to do just that!).
So I shut my bible, and paid attention.
The man giving the message for the day led us not to the gospels, as is so common for Easter, but to 1 Corinthians 15. He spoke of the resurrection of Christ; of growth, renewal, and strength.
We are told repeatedly in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain. Christ’s resurrection gives us a hope.
A hope in redemption. In salvation. In a life free from the power of sin.
Paul later quotes Hosea saying:
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
Sin (death) no longer has a hold on our hearts. Christ instead declares victory over death through His resurrection.
In Christ, we are free.
In Christ, we are victorious.
In Christ, we are alive.
CHRIST IS RISEN. CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED!
