“He is not here; He has risen!”

Christian Peterson
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Last Sunday, March 31, Christians around the world celebrated Easter as they commemorated and rejoiced in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ of Nazareth was brutally and publicly executed by the Romans under the direction of His own people, the Israelites. After a clear abuse of the justice system, Jesus was crucified in front of a crowd for the crimes of speaking truth, standing up for what is right, and claiming Himself to be the Son of God. However, in a turn of events, having been predicted thousands of years ago, His claim has been proven. Jesus is well known for His teaching in which He told the masses to turn away from selfish desires and carnal pleasures, promising true joy and eternal life in exchange. Not only this, but He offered unending mercy and love, something every human being needs. Despite His life of perfection, He was tragically and unjustly murdered. Yet, three days later, His close friends, the local government, and even his enemies were surprised to find that every word that Jesus had spoken had been true Jesus's burial place, a cave with a large stone covering the entrance, was discovered disturbed early Sunday morning. The stone, which was impossible for any man to roll out of the way, was found no longer blocking the entrance. Inside the tomb were the linens used to wrap Jesus's body. However, nobody was there to be found. The only witness was a young man sitting by the tomb, who advised visitors that Jesus was no longer there. In fact, He was no longer dead. He fulfilled his reason for coming, becoming the sacrificial lamb for all people. Jesus had put Himself in between man and God, and after living a perfect life, took the punishment meant for mankind. This included not only His brutal torture and execution but separation from His Father, God, something even more excruciating than being beaten and suffocating to death. Yet, because of His power, His might, His mercy and His perfection, Jesus did not stay dead, instead rising from the grave and commanding His followers to continue His work. He urged his followers to teach the nations across the world that this life is not the only life, and that there is a reward in Heaven for those who turn their back on their sinful lifestyles and choose to pick up their own cross and trudge the hard walk that Jesus walked. “For God so loved the world, that he sent his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).