“HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID.” (Matthew 28:6)

The firstfruits of the resurrection, Jesus Christ, is a testimony of what every believer will experience. He conquered death for each one of us! Even though death is unknown to us – a mystery until it is our turn to face it, trading in this earthly, temporary tent for a heavenly, permanent glorified body is a great ‘deal’ for every believer. Christ’s words from John 14:19 ring true for every one of us who know His forgiveness and are following Him. Jesus says,  “Because I live, you also will live.” The accomplishment of His resurrection is captured in the scripture truth in 1 Corinthians 15:22: “As in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. “

This passage in Matthew 28 highlights a number of important realities for us. The first is this: When we face obstacles in our life, God is quick to remove it for us, out of His love for us. In this passage, the ladies went early in the morning to look at the tomb, there was a “violent earthquake,” and a stone so large, no human being could roll it away….they found that God had already “rolled back the stone.”. So if you are facing some major obstacles in your life, Go to the one who can roll the ‘stone’ away for you.

The second thing we should see here is the loving character of our compassionate Father coming through by assuring them, “No need to fear.” Verse 5, the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I KNOW that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is NOT here; He has risen, JUST AS HE SAID.  After the angel told the women that Jesus was risen and was going ahead of them into Galilee, and they hurried away from the tomb afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples………Jesus met them and Himself told them: ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see Me.’ (Verses 8-10) Two times in this passage Jesus tells them ‘No need to fear.’ It’s all good. And Jesus dispelled their fear with truth, so they could readily trust Him. (Thanks Lord, for dispelling our fears)

We can’t leave the words the angel told them…He has risen, JUST AS HE SAID. That reminds us that our living God is a GOD OF PROMISE. Our one Life Transformation Group just completed the book of Matthew. We couldn’t help but notice the many times Jesus tried preparing them, so His crucifixion would not rock their faith. Jesus prophetically mentions to Peter at his confession that He was the Christ, as far back as Matthew 16:21. “From that time on Jesus began to explain to His disciples…..and Peter rebuked Him, and Jesus had to set Him straight. He predicts it again to His 12 disciples in Mt. 20:19, and again at the last supper (Mt. 26:32) and then says, “But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Does that sound familiar. (See verse 28:10) Bottom line we need to always remember is that of the many promises our Promise-Keeper God has given us, what He SAYS He will DO. WE CAN ABSOLUTELY COUNT ON IT! PTL! 

The greatest Promise that has benefited us out of the resurrection is not only sharing in His conquering of death, but even more waiting for the PROMISE that resulted in the followers of Jesus waiting in Jerusalem  for the Promise of the Father, as Jesus gives the Gift of the Holy Spirit who ushers God’s power into our everyday life situations and enables us to live not just in the natural, but rather the supernatural so we can trust our God for miracles to be occurring today. “So God, help me(Us) to rely on you to remove any obstacles that will hold me back from experiencing Your power. May I live a life of faith in You that enables me to see and claim all the promises you want me and others through me to enjoy. And may we live in victory because Jesus is able to do what we cannot do. Amen”  Let’s exalt Jesus and celebrate His aliveness as He is working in us every day.