04/04/2021
Today is Easter Sunday, and if you have never believed in eternal life, this is the day to rethink your position because today our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and we who were once lost, have been redeemed from our sins through Him. On this day all those who heard Him speak of the resurrection and of life that lay ahead for Him, and likewise for us, can finally see the truth in His words. In as much as His resurrection has been found to be true, then so is ours, and so are the other things He has spoken to us! This day is a joyous celebration of God’s love, grace, living water, and life everlasting! Do you believe?
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?””
John 11:25-26 ESV
Lazarus had been dead for four days, and these were the words Jesus spoke to his sister Martha as he was rotting in his grave. Then, as everyone thought He had arrived too late to save Lazarus, Jesus spoke again and said...
“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
John 11:43-44 ESV
This is how Jesus showed everyone present that day, through His Heavenly Father, that He had power over death. But only some believed...
“Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.”
John 11:45-46 ESV
Do we believe today, or are we like those who long ago went to the Pharisees in disbelief? Well, it isn’t too late to claim the redemption and life that Jesus offers us! We might be rotting in our graves this morning, but Jesus is here to call us from that certain death... from our grave. It wasn’t too late for Lazarus, and it isn’t too late for anyone who in their heart says... “I believe”.
Several days later Jesus hung in crucifixion above Golgotha... nailed to His cross which stood between those of two criminals who also hung dying, but one of these men came to believe, and said...
“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.””
Luke 23:39-41 ESV
Then, after making a defense of Jesus this man was granted forgiveness, and reprieve for the sinful life that he had once lived. Listen to what transpired in these final moments of his life as Jesus spoke...
“And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.””
Luke 23:42-43 ESV
It was not too late for Lazarus to be called back from his tomb and given life once again, and it was not too late for this criminal who hung dying on his cross to be promised eternal life. Though Lazarus would live to die again, his faith would do for him what the criminal’s had most certainly done... he would be rewarded with eternal life in the presence of God.
So it is with us; even as we exhale our final breath we can confess our sins, and come to believe in Jesus Christ... gaining salvation through God’s grace, and claiming our reward of everlasting life. Listen as Jesus spoke further to Lazarus’s sister Martha...
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.””
John 11:25-27 ESV
So today, on this morning when the tomb of Christ stands empty, ask yourself the same faithful question that Jesus asked Martha... “Do you believe this?”, and as you determine what your answer will be remember that it is not too late, and that on this day long ago Jesus secured your salvation from sin, and conquered death for you.
Prayer:
Father, we thank you on this Easter Sunday for the plan you put into place for our redemption from the sin of Adam, and the death that came into the world on that day. We thank you for your Son Jesus who became the Lamb of God, and took on the sins of the world that we would be washed clean, and made righteous in your eyes. We thank you for helping us in out unbelief, and granting us eternal life through our belief in Jesus, and your grace which flows through Him. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who made provision for us, even as we were sinners, and awaiting certain death, to come to you through the sacrifice of your Son, and reclaim the righteousness and eternal life that is your promise to all those who believe in Him. Praised be your name Lord for His perfect obedience to your will, even unto His death at Calvary, and for the love He has shown us through His suffering. Wash us clean in His blood Father, and in this way find us without sin, and worthy to sit at your table forevermore. Hear today the confessions of sin filled lives, and the proclamations of faith in Jesus, that come from those who are dying... those who have years yet to live on earth, or as little as a single breath to take before their judgement. Then, like the Parable of the Workers... give us each an equal share in eternity with you, pouring out upon us your grace, and amazing love.
“Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.””
Matthew 20:10-16 ESV
Rich Forbes