This Day in History: 0000-04-21

April 21 – Matthew 28: 5-7 & 18-20

Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” He said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.  Come, see where His body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and He is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see Him there. Remember that I have told you.”

Jesus came and told His disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The resurrection of Jesus – it’s the foundation of our entire faith.  His birth made it possible. His death paid our ransom.  But His resurrection won the victory.  His resurrection gave us hope.  Without it, death would still hold it’s power over us. But praise God, He IS risen – just as He said He would!

The tomb is empty.

He was the perfect One and the grave could not keep Him.  He defeated both sin and death that glorious Sunday morning, and we celebrate that victory today!  Let’s lift up our voices together today and rejoice that we serve a risen Lord!

Let’s not just stop there, though.  What Jesus did for us demands a response.  We cannot understand that He came to live on this earth confined to a human body, that He suffered the pain and rejection of the cross, that He rose victorious over sin and death and not be compelled to act.

Jesus told us plainly before He ascended to Heaven what our response should be.  We must GO.  Go into our worlds and make disciples.  Because if we really understand what He did for us; if we really understand who we are, we won’t be able to keep it to ourselves! We will want to see everyone we know find the same saving grace that we found.

He died to purchase our freedom and triumphed over the grave to give us eternal hope.  He has been given all authority in Heaven and on earth and He has promised that He will be with us always – to the very end of the age.  So let’s go and make disciples!