Thank God for the Risen Savior!

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (I Peter 1:3 ESV)

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esurrection Day is fast approaching!  I cannot speak for anyone else, but I am so thankful for the risen Savior!  I don’t know where I would be without Him because He loves, restores, enlightens, rules, guides, forgives, but most of all, He saves.  Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior, a friend who sticks closer than any brother, the Lamb of God, the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star, the Redeemer, the King of Kings, the Alpha and Omega, and many more titles according to the Word.  Therefore, on Resurrection Day and every day, we must serve the Lamb, not the bunny!  When we are in need of a friend or an intercessor, there is nothing the bunny can do for us except look pretty and feel soft. It cannot save us, nor can it give us the love of Jesus. Just give me the risen Savior on any day!  I love Him because He first loved me, and I thank God for Him.  The Word declares: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 ESV).

Though many call this day of celebration Easter, it is known to the Christian believer as Resurrection Day.  Easter comes but one day and then is gone.  The jelly beans will be eaten or will melt away.  Jesus will never leave or forsake us.  The Easter outfits will eventually get soiled or will be outgrown. The blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all of our sins. The eggs will last only a few days and will rot. Fresh ones will be boiled and dyed again the next year.  Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) states: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  The risen Savior is with us each day we live.  One day He will return, and we will be with Him forever. 

Jesus sacrificed His life by going to the cross to die to save us from our sins.  Before He gave up the ghost, there are seven powerful, life-changing words that He uttered (from KJV):

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

“Woman, behold thy Son!” — John 19:26

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” — Mark 15:34

“I thirst.” — John 19:28

“It is finished.” — John 19:30

“Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” — Luke 23:46

The beauty in all of this is that the grave could not hold Him down. Glory be to God on High!   On the third day, Jesus Christ arose with ALL, not just some, power in His hand in Heaven and on earth.  Thank You, O Merciful Father, for the risen Savior, who yet lives in us today!

Happy Resurrection Day!  Have a wonderfully blessed week, be thankful in all circumstances, and never leave home without Him!

(Anna Bright is a minister and educator in Walterboro. She can be reached at abrightcolumn@lowcountry.com)