The Power Source

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.”  Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)

Christians  around the world celebrated Resurrection Day with joy. For the majority among us, this joy wasn’t just a holiday spirit. It was  the joy of realizing what  Jesus Christ has accomplishied for us, that in His resurrection we have the gift of eternal life. That is indeed something to be joyful about.

As a part of the spirit of the special day, our church had peace lilies in all the windows–a lovely sight and a meaningful symbol   of Jesus the Prince of Peace.  It’s very likely that  those lilies will not be there next Sabbath; neither will we remember that they were  there. It seems that a part of our celebration of Easter is forgetfulness. When it’s over on Easter Sunday, it’s over.  But in reality, it’s just beginning. The message and meaning of the day must remain with us because it is basic to our faith (I  Corinthians 15:12), and it is a guide to how we will live in the days after Easter.  As the Apostle Paul says  in our focus text, the resurrection is  a  source of  power.  We need that power daily to live  vibrant, victorious lives.

It’s essential to  keep the truth of the resurrection current in our  lives and affirm its authenticity and power each day. We ought to make this declaration with  hymnwriter Alfred H. Ackley:
I serve a risen Savior,
He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living
Whatever men may say.

He lives, He lives!
Christ Jesus lives today.
He  walks with me and tallks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives!
Salvation to impart;
You ask me how I know He lives;
He lives within my heart.

The song hints at what is so prevalent in today’s world—an unhealthy skepticism about an actual, living Christ, who died and rose again to new life, but the songwriter goes on to state emphatically that this Christ lives within his heart. And that is where the power is distributed for us to live the abundant life. May we have within us the resurrection life of Christ powering us each day.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I claim the power of your resurrection to be in  me and to help me live a life  fully committed to You.

Always,

Judith

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“Jesus said to her [Mary],
‘I am the  resurrection and
the life: he that believeth in
me,though he were dead,
yet shall he live.’ “
John 11:25