Easter: The Grand Event for your life!
Richard Bewes writes that on the morning of August 27, 1883, the "most stupendous explosion ever recorded took place." It was heard as far away as 3,000 miles. The whole northern and lower part of the island of Krakatoa, lying between Java and Sumatra, had blown off. Stone, dust, and ashes surged 17 miles into the air. Entire forests were buried beneath the debris from the explosion. As far away as 150 miles the sky was so dark that people had to use lamps in the middle of the day just to see. The tidal waves reached as far as Cape Horn which was an 8,000 miles away. Across the world weather patterns and sunsets were dramatically affected for many months.
When I read that information I thought to myself, "Wow! The magnitude of that volcanic eruption changed the landscape of everything it touched." As magnificent and huge as that event was in 1883, there was an even greater, more life-altering event that took place over 1850 years earlier. They event, of course, is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ! There was a great earthquake, the guards fell to the ground like dead men, the stone was rolled away, and "Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o'er His foes!"
The question must be this: So what? What difference does it make? Well I can tell you that it makes all the difference in the world for each of us. Here is what I know...many of you who might read this are facing a lot of problems right now. Some of these problems are like an earthquake in your life, your family, in your relationships, or on your job. Some of you look at the challenges you are facing right now and you simply want it to go away or you want to throw in the towel and give up. At one time or another all of us have either been there, are there, or will be there soon. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is so important.
Now think about it with me for just a moment. When Jesus died on the cross, He was placed in a borrowed tomb. A huge stone was placed over the entrance and according to the Bible the tomb was 'sealed'. To make matters even more improbable, the Romans placed their best praetorian guard at the tomb to guard it. These guys would be like Army Rangers or Navy SEALS. While Jesus promised before going to the cross and dying that He would rise again 3 days later, the situation looked bleak. However, there was one factor in the equation the Jews, the Romans, and even Satan had not figured into the equation. They forgot about the POWER OF GOD!
On the 3rd day Jesus rose from the grave. The impossible became possible. The hopeless were filled with hope. The problem was solved. The issue was forever resolved. Jesus Christ truly is God. He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords because of the power of God.
NOW DON'T MISS THIS PART....That same power that was at work to raise Jesus from the dead is available to be at work in your life if you are a child of God. Therefore, this means that problem that looks so big in your eyes is not big in God's eyes. That issue that is a bully in your life is no match for God. That problem that seems to have no answers can be solved by putting your faith and trust in the Lord. When I think about the resurrection of Jesus I think of that even as I did that volcanic eruption, "Wow! The magnitude of that one even changes everything and everyone it touches!"
When I read that information I thought to myself, "Wow! The magnitude of that volcanic eruption changed the landscape of everything it touched." As magnificent and huge as that event was in 1883, there was an even greater, more life-altering event that took place over 1850 years earlier. They event, of course, is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ! There was a great earthquake, the guards fell to the ground like dead men, the stone was rolled away, and "Up from the grave He arose with a mighty triumph o'er His foes!"
The question must be this: So what? What difference does it make? Well I can tell you that it makes all the difference in the world for each of us. Here is what I know...many of you who might read this are facing a lot of problems right now. Some of these problems are like an earthquake in your life, your family, in your relationships, or on your job. Some of you look at the challenges you are facing right now and you simply want it to go away or you want to throw in the towel and give up. At one time or another all of us have either been there, are there, or will be there soon. This is why the resurrection of Jesus is so important.
Now think about it with me for just a moment. When Jesus died on the cross, He was placed in a borrowed tomb. A huge stone was placed over the entrance and according to the Bible the tomb was 'sealed'. To make matters even more improbable, the Romans placed their best praetorian guard at the tomb to guard it. These guys would be like Army Rangers or Navy SEALS. While Jesus promised before going to the cross and dying that He would rise again 3 days later, the situation looked bleak. However, there was one factor in the equation the Jews, the Romans, and even Satan had not figured into the equation. They forgot about the POWER OF GOD!
On the 3rd day Jesus rose from the grave. The impossible became possible. The hopeless were filled with hope. The problem was solved. The issue was forever resolved. Jesus Christ truly is God. He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords because of the power of God.
NOW DON'T MISS THIS PART....That same power that was at work to raise Jesus from the dead is available to be at work in your life if you are a child of God. Therefore, this means that problem that looks so big in your eyes is not big in God's eyes. That issue that is a bully in your life is no match for God. That problem that seems to have no answers can be solved by putting your faith and trust in the Lord. When I think about the resurrection of Jesus I think of that even as I did that volcanic eruption, "Wow! The magnitude of that one even changes everything and everyone it touches!"
