I couldn’t wait to get to the altar as I read the words, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20) Tears flowed uncontrollably as I sobbed on my knees. He prayed for me. He was thinking of me when he went to the cross and he prayed for me. It was such a real and raw moment. I had read those words many times. I had heard the Easter story over and over. This time it was personal. Really personal.
Sometimes when we hear the same scripture over and over again, we zone out. We get a little desensitized. We think we already know what happened and what it means and that there isn’t anything else for us to learn. But the bible is the living, breathing word of God. If we look closely every time we read a verse, we will see something we’ve never realized, even if we’ve read that same passage a million times over.
Realizing Jesus prayed for me happened a few years ago but it’s still fresh on my heart. This year in the weeks leading up to Easter, something different began to stand out. Not a realization but a question. A question I first dared not to ask because it seemed selfish. But, as I pressed on, it was a question I felt sure needed an answer. Here it is; How does the resurrection relate to me?
If we zone out of a certain scripture because we’ve heard it over and over again, I think it’s fair to say we can zone out over the over arching Easter story itself. The importance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is unparalleled, but do we miss it? I believe sometimes we unintentionally do. But it’s too good to keep on missing!! That’s why I chased down the answer to that question…… How does the resurrection relate to me personally? How can I relate to Jesus through the resurrection?
Here’s what I found. Often times we focus on the fact that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross and through this we gain access to eternal life, and that is a wonderful truth that I am so thankful for. But what does the resurrection of Jesus mean to us between the time we begin to follow Christ and the time that we step into eternity?
First, it means redemption. Because of the resurrection, we enjoy forgiveness of sin. We don’t have to worry about cleaning our lives up before we can come to Jesus, he has paid our sin debt. Because of the resurrection we enjoy grace – Free and undeserving favor and blessings of God. Because of the resurrection we enjoy mercy – the withholding of the punishment that we deserve for our sin.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
The resurrection means relationship. Because of the resurrection of Christ, we are reconciled to God When sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, it caused a separation between man and God. But a savior was promised who would crush the head of the enemy and Jesus is that savior. His death and resurrection reconciled us to our Father. We can speak directly to Him through Jesus, we can feel His presence in our day to day lives and enjoy a real relationship with Him.
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2
All of this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ Jesus and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18
Finally, the resurrection means Reign. The resurrection proves that Jesus has full reign over death. If He has that kind of power to reign over death then we can conclude that He has the power to rule over everything. That means that I can trust him with my struggles. I can trust Him with my self – doubt. I can trust him with my finances. I can trust him to have full reign over my life. Giving Jesus full reign over my life give me peace, because I know that He who knows all, sees all and has the power to do all is in the driver’s seat instead of me.
... but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who abolished death and brought life and immortality through the gospel. 2 Timothy 10
And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power.” Hebrews 1:3
The resurrection is as personal to you and me now as it was to the disciples who walked with Jesus and witnessed it all. He is risen indeed and I’m so glad He is!!!
