As the women arrived at the sepulcher early Resurrection Sunday morning to anoint the body of the buried Jesus, among the first words spoken to them was “he has risen.” Those words confirmed that life on earth would never be the same. It was the pivotal moment of all human history.
Untrackable, God kept His plan a secret from generations of His people as well as from the princes of the darkness of this world. So supreme was the resurrection of His son—in contrast to the horrific and brutal death of Jesus—that it would unveil a new creation, a “new man”, a unique type of human being: one endued with the Spirit of God within, able to display the light of the eternal God and His son Jesus Christ, dwelling within a new spiritual being.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)
If the princes of the darkness of this world, and their henchman Satan, had known that when they crucified the Lord of Glory, soon many millions, enabled as Christ, would exert power against the rulers of the darkness of this world (just as Jesus had)—they never would have crucified the Lord of Glory. That, my brothers and sisters, is the exact point. As he has now risen, he has enabled you and I to take his place and his position on the earth until his return for his church.
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (Col 1:26-27 )
Again, if Satan had known that God would bring into existence, as his “sons and daughters,” men and women infused with the power of God, filled with His Spirit, a Spirit incorruptible—they would never have crucified the Messiah.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1Cr 2:7-8)
It is vitally important for all believers to know the truth. The truth sets us free—not the traditions of men. Resurrection Sunday stands in dark contrast to the horrific beating and execution, only days previous, of our Lord and savior.
| Our God is the loving Father of mercies. |
Fortunately, for us, our God is the loving Father of mercies. Although mankind had taken a step of immense distance from its Creator, God promised a future reconciliation and brought it to pass by making what is most precious to any father: a son or daughter.
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. (Hebrews 2:10 NIV)
Jesus Christ, our brother, walked as all men were made to walk, and took unto himself the punishment that we deserved, and yet, we received the reward of his glorious life.
He is Risen! And thank God for that.
Anthony Barbera
