The Passion and the Glory: Jesus Is Raised!



What does Jesus' resurrection mean for us?  Matthew 28:1-10, along with the other gospel accounts, tell us the story of how Mary Magdalene and others went to Jesus' tomb early on the first day of the week.  Though the accounts have differences with each other, they agree in the most important facts: Jesus rose from the dead and gave convincing proofs to his followers that God had resurrected him.

That's a great story, but what does it mean?  First, that we can have eternal bodies and live forever in God's kingdom through faith in Christ.  The scriptures teach that at the end of the world, God will raise the dead and begin his eternal kingdom on earth.  In 1 Corinthians 15:20-24, the apostle Paul wrote that the resurrection of the dead at the end of the world began with Jesus' resurrection.  Jesus was the "first fruit" of a great harvest of life at the end of the world.  Because he was raised, we can be raised through faith in him.

Yet Jesus' resurrection means more than that.  In addition to saving us, Jesus gave us a mission.  Matthew 28:18-20 says that after his resurrection, but before he ascended to heaven, Jesus appeared to his followers in Galilee and commanded them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything he commanded them.  

So the celebration of Easter is about us receiving the gift of eternal life.  But it's also about us receiving a mission: To get outside the church walls, engage people with the good news of Christ, and transform the world through his power.

Christ is risen!  Spread the word!  Take up your mission to follow Christ and make disciples in this world, and stick with it until he returns to this world to reign over it!

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