HE IS RISEN!

Devotional | Jason White | Apr 12, 2020

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For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
Colossians 2:12-15 NLT

DEVOTION

“Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.” - Matthew 16:6

THIS IS SUCH GOOD NEWS! Often in our lives, we appreciate the fact that we are forgiven. We are thankful that Christ would die for us, so that our sin would be taken away. But how many of us live in the victory of his resurrection?

The forgiveness of sins and his death upon the cross is HUGE and should never be neglected. However, he didn’t just die so that we could one day be with him forever, but his resurrection also gives us victory now. His resurrection gives us the power over sin, shame, guilt, and death.

We can have victory now, in this life. Does it mean that we will not experience struggles? No. Does it mean that things in life won’t seem overwhelmingly difficult? Of course not. In fact, some things may often feel like defeat.

However, Christ is victorious over anything the enemy throws at us. Christ himself said it would be better that he would leave and send the Holy Spirit. This means Christ now lives in and through us. So when we see victory in our lives, it’s because of him. His resurrection reveals the victory possible in our relationships, in our struggles, in our sin, and in our addictions. The power of his resurrection can restore marriages, bring prodigals home, and break down walls of addiction that seem way too hard to climb.

He is our victory!

If you are like me, this almost seems too good to be true. That’s why it is called “The Good News;” Christ died for us and there is nothing we can do to earn his salvation. All we have to do is call upon the name of the Lord, repent, and believe! His resurrection gives us power now in this life over every stronghold the enemy has over us.

I find myself often tempted to be victorious on my own terms, to win through my hard work and good deeds. I have to remind myself that will never work. My good deeds and hard work don’t earn his forgiveness and favor. I should be compelled to do those things because of his death, forgiveness, and resurrection. We don’t work for victory; we live from victory.

Let’s celebrate that he is risen. This is the best news ever! Christ has victory now in this life and for eternity. Our King is our victor!

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross. Thank you that you bore my sin and shame and were willing to endure the cross for my sake. Thank you that the cross was not the end. Your resurrection was the fulfillment of your purpose. We celebrate that you are victorious over all sin and death. Please help us to live in the power of your resurrection and to be reminded that it is you in us that is victorious. All praise and honor and victory is to you and for you! We praise you as our Lord and King.

Amen.

Jason White

Worship Pastor

jwhite@crossings.church