GC Easter Message - Jesus Lives!

By Richard Cox

“He [Jesus] is not here: for he is risen, as he said…” Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

It’s Easter season and as believers we celebrate the miraculous resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! Jesus Lives! We understand Jesus lives because He lives within us. In John 14:19 (KJV) it says,” Before long, the world will not see me [Jesus] anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you live also.” This good news sends a clear message of hope, joy, new beginnings and second chances for everyone. Remember Christ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection brought us into the family of God.

We live in a time of uncertainties where fear, anxiety, financial loss, unemployment, foreclosures and business failures bombard our minds. However, our assurance that Jesus lives in us strengthens our belief that He’s able to raise us out of any situation we might face. Our faith calls us to draw on the Power of the resurrection to overcome circumstances in our lives that distract us. Hold on…Stay strong and keep your faith in Jesus Christ!

Jesus lives to:

• Help Us - Jesus sent to us the Comforter… the Holy Spirit. In John 16:7 (AMP) it declares,”However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].” We are empowered with God’s Spirit to help us with everything we need to have the victory in our lives. God will be who and what we need to help us. Jesus will fill in the blank of your specialized need for your particular circumstance. Call on Him! Help is on the Way!

Heal Us – We are healed by the stripes Jesus suffered on the cross. In Isaiah 53:4-5(AMP) it says, “Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.” Jesus gives us holistic healing not only in our bodies but our mind and spirit. He heals us completely. Jesus has already paid the price for any sicknesses or diseases that exist.

Save Us - Jesus wants all of mankind to be saved and receive eternal life. In 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) it states, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who would have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. “ God loved us so much He sent His only son, Jesus to die and save us from our sins. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God to redeem us back into a right relationship with God.

As Christians we should show the world like the disciples did in their day, that Jesus is alive by our words and actions. Jesus came alive after the resurrection and continued His work of healing, teaching, and establishing His Kingdom of love, justice, truth and integrity. That’s what Easter is all about celebrating that fact that Jesus still lives today. Jesus lives today through us who believe in Him with all our heart, mind and soul.

I wanted to share this powerful testimony I found behind the classic Easter hymn He Lives written by author and composer Mr. Alfred H. Ackley. A challenge question was asked by a young Jewish student attending an evangelistic meeting conducted by Mr. Ackley. The student said, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” It was Mr. Ackley’s answer that prompted him to write the hymn in his response. Mr. Ackley said, “He lives! I tell you. He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.” It was Mr. Ackley’s emphatic answer, together with his successful effort to win the man to Christ, that the birthed the song and crystallized a convincing sermon in a hymn called He Lives. He sat down at the piano and said, “The thought of His ever-living presence brought the music promptly and easily.” Now I want you to sing the hymn today and let the words minister to your heart.

Chorus: He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks 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.

Let this Easter be a life changing experience for you and your family. Because you know Jesus lives today you can face tomorrow uncertainties. Remember in 1 John 4:4(AMP) it says, “You are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.”