Jesus is risen from the dead! The tomb was empty and his disciples saw Jesus alive again. But the resurrection of Jesus Christ is much more than a historical event, more even the cornerstone of our faith. The resurrection is the key to our new life – because Jesus lives, we also live! The apostle Paul explained it to the Romans like this.
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. (Romans 6:4-5)
Jesus promised to give his disciples eternal life, “life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) But this new life is not something separate from Christ. The eternal life we enjoy is nothing less than sharing Christ’s resurrection life! We experience victory over sin and death and the devil because we share in Christ’s victory. We have new life which will never, ever die because we have been raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1). We were lost and blind and dead, but then “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6)
This is the new life God offers to all who believe in His Son Jesus. Sharing Christ’s love and joy and peace. Sharing that relationship which allows us to call God our Father. May God help us all to experience this new life to the full!