SCRIPTURE:
"He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Luke 24:6-7
OBSERVATION:
He is not here; he has risen!” These 7 words record and reveal one of the most powerful moments in the history of mankind. These 7 words declare victory, deliverance, and salvation all at the same time. These 7 words release forgiveness, grace, and peace all at the same time. These 7 words grant hope, assurance, and joy all at the same time. Jesus, our crucified Messiah, was placed in this tomb, dead, and to the bystanders the situation seemed bleak. To the ordinary onlooker the tomb depicted defeat and that the hope of Jesus as their Messiah was dashed, but they were told…they were told what was to come, they were told what needed to take place, they were told the plan. Jesus revealed to them while He was in Galilee:
The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the
third day be raised again.
Jesus bore the sins of the world to bring freedom and relationship, He was the sacrifice that paid the price on our behalf, and He would be raised again on the third day in victory over sin, over death, and over the devil. These 7 words: “He is not here; He has risen” declare His complete victory and our complete victory in Him.
APPLICATION:
Today, these 7 words bring everything back into the proper perspective. It’s because of these 7 words that I don’t need to worry about any situations I am facing, it’s because of these words that I don’t need to fear what tomorrow holds, it’s because of these 7 words that my hope is assured. In these 7 words I’m reminded of His love, I’m reminded of His perfect plan, and I’m reminded of His unmatched power. Whether it’s my finances, or my kids, or insecurities in knowing what to say, what to do, and how to lead, I find comfort in knowing that He is victorious, that I am redeemed, and that He is with me through every storm. I’m also reminded that the troubles of this world pale in comparison to the eternal victory, the eternal security, and the never ending love that the Father has for me. As the hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Today, regardless of what my eyes are telling me or my emotions are feeling I will choose to turn my eyes on Jesus and live in the victory, freedom and forgiveness of these 7 words…
He is not here; He has risen!
PRAYER:
Jesus, I praise You because You are the Risen Messiah, You are the Victor, and You are the Unmatched God. Thank You for Your love, thank You for Your forgiveness, and thank You for being my Deliverer. I will live in obedience, in trust, and in complete surrender to You today, as I seek to live in the Truth of those 7 words. In Your name, Amen!
