The Salvation Jesus’ Resurrection Achieved

THE Salvation JESUS’ RESURRECTION ACHIEVED THREE-WORD OBITUARY

TODAY’S READING: ROMANS 8:28-39

Before Stig Kernell died, he told the local funeral home that he didn’t want a traditional obituary. Instead, the Swedish man instructed them to publish only three words noting his passing: “I am dead.” When Mr. Kernell died at the age of ninety-two, that’s exactly what appeared. The audacity and simplicity of his unusual death notice captured the attention of newspapers around the world. In a strange twist, the international curiosity about the man with the three-word obituary caused more attention to his death than he intended.

When Jesus was crucified, the Lord’s obituary could have read, “He is dead.” But after three days, it would have been changed to front-page news saying, “He is risen!” Much of the New Testament is devoted to proclaiming and explaining the results of Christ’s resurrection. “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . We are more than conquerors through him who loved us”

CHRIST JESUS WHO DIED— MORE THAN THAT, WHO WAS RAISED TO LIFE—IS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.

ROMANS 8:34

(ROMANS 8:34-37).

The three-word obituary of Jesus, “He is dead”, has been transformed into an eternal anthem of praise to our Saviour. He is risen! He is risen indeed! o

DAVID MCCASLAND

How would you write Jesus’ obituary? What hope does His resurrection give you?

Lord, we rejoice in Your great victory over sin and death through Your resurrection. May we live in light of it every day.

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING

TODAY’S READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12–26

Jaroslav Pelikan, a professor considered one of “his generation’s preeminent authorities on Christian history,” was renowned for his extensive academic career. He published more than thirty books and won awards for his voluminous writing. One of his students, however, recounted what he considered his teacher’s most important words, spoken from his deathbed: “If Christ is risen, nothing else matters. And if Christ is not—nothing else matters.”

Pelikan echoed Paul’s conviction: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”

(1 CORINTHIANS 15:14). The apostle made such a bold statement because he knew that the resurrection was not merely a one-off miracle but rather the pinnacle of God’s redeeming work in human history. The promise of resurrection wasn’t only His assurance that Jesus would rise from the dead but His bold affirmation that other dead and ruined things (lives, neighbourhoods, relationships) would also one day be brought back to life through Christ. If there’s no resurrection, however, Paul knew that we’re in deep trouble. If there’s no resurrection, then death and destruction win.

But, of course, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (V. 20). Destroyed by the Victor, death loses. And Jesus is the “firstfruits” of all the life that will follow. He conquered evil and death so that we could live bold and free. This changes everything. o

CHRIST HAS INDEED BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD, THE FIRSTFRUITS OF THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:20

WINN COLLIER

How does the resurrection of Jesus change everything for you? Do you experience His resurrection power in your own life?

God, allow me to see how Jesus’ resurrection changes everything about my life now and forever.

THE ASCENSION

TODAY’S READING: ACTS 1:1-11

The repeated appearances of Jesus after His death brought His followers such joy that they must have wanted the visits to continue indefinitely. But on the 40th day after His resurrection, having given His disciples final instructions, Jesus slowly ascended and a cloud hid Him from view.

Jesus could have vanished instantly, as He had done on previous occasions. But this time He chose to ascend visibly to impress on His followers that this was the end of His visits. His bodily presence would soon be replaced by something even better. Jesus’ ascension marked the beginning of a new era.

In His glorified human body, the Lord Jesus ascended, entered heaven, sat down at the right hand of God, sent

the Holy Spirit (JOHN 14:16-18; ACTS 2:33), began His ministry of intercession for

us (ROMANS 8:34; HEBREWS 7:25), and now

IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME THAT YOU ALSO MAY BE WHERE I AM.

JOHN 14:3

permeates the whole universe with His spiritual presence and power (EPHESIANS

1:15-23; 4:10).

An ancient writing says that Jesus ascended bodily into heaven “our entrance to secure, and our abode to prepare.” That’s true. But it’s also true that as God, He is always spiritually present with us and will be “to the end of the age” (MATTHEW 28:20). What a wonderful Saviour we have! o

HERBERT VANDER LUGT

Do you live with your eyes focused on your earthly life or your eternal home with Jesus? How would an eternal perspective change the way you live?

Thank You, Jesus, for all that Your ascension means for me. I long for the day I will be with You in Your home.

Journey to the Heart of Easter

is a journey from the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gethsemane. It is a journey that reveals Easter not just to be a key story, but the key story of the Bible, our world and each one of our lives. All too often the true, life-changing, awesome message of Easter gets lost behind the mundane or trivial. These forty specially selected Our Daily Bread articles offer you a reflective journey to Easter which allows you to consider just what this world-defining story means to you. Soak up the final weeks of Jesus’ work on earth, wonder with the disciples as they witness His agonising death, rejoice with the women at the tomb as they encounter the risen Christ, and discover the shelter, forgiveness and new life He gives to all who put their faith in Him.

Visit ourdailybread.org for more information on our resources. Alternatively, please contact the office nearest to you from the list below, or go to ourdailybread.org/locations for the complete list of offices. Germany: Our Daily Bread Ministries e.V., Schulstraße 42, 79540 Lörrach deutsch@odb.org ~ +49 (0) 7621 9511135 Ireland: Our Daily Bread Ministries, 64 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 XC62 ireland@odb.org ~ +353 (01) 676 7315 UK & Europe: Our Daily Bread Ministries, PO Box 1, Millhead, Carnforth, LA5 9ES europe@odb.org ~ +44 (0) 15395 64149 Many people, making even the smallest of donations, enable Our Daily Bread Ministries to reach others with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible. We are not funded or endowed by any group or denomination.

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