An Easter Miracle

The Day That Changed Everything!

The resurrection of Jesus on the original Easter Sunday is the greatest miracle in the history of the world. And it was the miracle that changed the world more than any other event in history. Without the resurrection, all of Jesus’ claims about Himself would have been meaningless. Without the resurrection, there would have been no proof that His death on Friday would have saved us from our sins. The resurrection of Jesus is the lynchpin of the gospel and of our faith.

Here is what the apostle Paul had to say about it:

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 1 Corinthians 15:12-23

This text of Scripture is a beautiful explanation of how important the resurrection of Jesus is to our faith. Without a resurrection, we have no message to proclaim and no proof that our faith is any different than anyone else’s. But not only was Jesus resurrected, there were many eye witnesses who saw Him die and later saw Him after He rose from the dead.

Power Over Death

Remember, after Jesus rose He stayed on the earth for another forty days before He ascended into Heaven. He wanted to make sure that His resurrection was undeniable and those who would lead His church into the future knew they were serving a risen Savior. And this became the message that was the foundation of the gospel as it went forth. And it is still the foundation today. Our faith in Jesus isn’t just built upon doctrine, liturgy or tradition. It is built upon the proven power of God over death, hell and the devil.

And Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope that one day our bodies will be resurrected also. Jesus is the “first-fruits” of those who will be resurrected from the dead. Jesus died on the Feast of Passover and He was resurrected on the Feast of First-fruits. As believers, we will never die! Death has been defeated. When a believers body dies, they don’t. They go into the presence of God in Paradise. Jesus told the thief on the cross next to Him that on that day he would be with Him in Paradise.

When a believer takes his or her last breath on earth, the next instant they take their first breath in Heaven. When their eyes close here, they open there. When their senses dull here, the come alive there. Here is what Jesus told Martha when her brother Lazarus died:

So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Matthew 11:17-26 bold mine

Even though our spirits never die, our bodies will die one day if Jesus tarries. But even then, our bodies will not stay in the grave or in an urn forever. They will be resurrected in a glorified and eternal state at the return of Jesus. Here is what the apostle Paul said about this:

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Believing Together

The resurrection of Jesus has changed everything and has given us hope for this life and eternity. Death has no more power over us! We only have two choices - life here or life in Heaven. Death isn’t an option anymore. It is only life forever for us because of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

With all of this in mind, we are facing a battle in our country and in the world against COVID-19. As I have been telling you for a while, we are standing together with millions of believers around the world as we pray for another Easter miracle. The original Easter demonstrates the supreme power of God over every force of death and hell. Let us remember this as we stir up our faith to believe for God to break the power of COVID-19 in a miraculous manner this Easter. And in doing so many lives will be saved and He will get the glory for it. That will also result in millions of eternal lives being saved.

I have been amazed and inspired as I’ve seen many of the COVID-19 disease models in the U.S. showing that it will reach it’s peak on Easter Sunday. But what I pray will happen after Easter is a miraculous drop in diseases and deaths that no one expected. I pray it will baffle the experts and even the most secular and agnostic of them will have to attribute it to God! Please stand with me in prayer in this sacred and special moment as we believe together for another Easter miracle! God bless you!