Today
Power for Today
"But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died." (1 Corinthians 15:20, NRSV)
THE CROSS was used by God to open the way back to Him. There is precedent for this saving grace in the Old Testament where the Israelites who had sinned against God were given the opportunity to look upon the bronze serpent raised on the staff and to be saved from disease and death (Numbers 21:7-9).
But Jesus goes beyond temporary salvation. His being raised on the cross was not the end of the plan of God. He was also raised from the tomb. Now we have eternal hope!
Beyond the tomb's open door is the light of eternity! This is the way out of our sin and hopelessness. Because he lives, we also shall live.
The Gospels do not explain the resurrection; the
resurrection explains the Gospels. Belief in the resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.
- J. S. Whale
Dear Father, thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to save us. Thank you for the gospel, for the hope of eternity we now have in Christ Jesus because we believe that He died, that He was buried and that He was resurrected on the third day. In His name. Amen.
- JOSE G. CARBAJAL, Manzanita, California
