April 21

Raised On The Third Day

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1Corinthians 15:3,4

For us there is no other truth of more importance than the fact that Christ died for us and that He now lives! This is of utmost importance, because without his death and resurrection, we would still find ourselves sinking in the death pit of sin, and our plot would be hopeless. Jesus Christ did not merely die the death of a martyr, he died the death of a savior. He laid down his life as a ransom for ours. He exchanged his righteousness for our unrighteousness. He gave up his life for us so that we would not have to suffer the penalties of our own transgressions. The realization that Christ died and rose again brings great hope: hope to each of us personally, and hope for the future of all mankind. Personally, we have been redeemed and we now live in Him. That life is a precious gift, of which we are so undeserving. We have tasted of the Father's grace and what joy is ours! We also understand that because of the price, which Jesus paid, all mankind will taste of the Father's goodness as well and one day they, too, will know and love Him as we do now. What a day to look forward to, a day of hope that would never be realized without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Dear Father, how we thank you for the sacrifice of your son, Jesus, on our behalf. You loved us enough to send your only son to die in our place while we were still sinners. We know how unworthy we are of this gift, but may it inspire us to live a life worthy of Christ. Help us to be filled with his goodness, and his fulness, that we might bring this gift to others and they, too will know what true hope is all about. Thank you, Father, for not only allowing your son to die, but also for raising him from the dead. Thank you for raising all of us to newness of life in Christ. Amen