Christ is risen, Christ is risen, indeed

(The Mini-muscial consists of a piece of scripture and a reflection on that passage - linking to the selected Easter hymn.)

Matthew 28

The Resurrection
 1 Early on Sunday morning,[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.

 2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

 5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 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 what I have told you.”

 8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Morning has broken,
Like the first morning.
The stone has been rolled away,
The tomb is empty.
Christ has risen,
Christ has risen, indeed!

Reflection 1
Colossians 1:21-22;
“Once you were alienated from God, and were enemies in your minds, because of your evil behavior. But now, he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death, to present you Holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation…”

This is the reason why Christ choose, to die on the cross for us. Christ’s death provided a way, for all of us, to come to God. His death cleared away the sin, that kept us from having a right relationship with God. We can have peace with God, and be reconciled to Him, by accepting Christ, who died in our place, to wipe away all our sins and transgressions.

No one, is good enough to save him or herself. If we want to live eternally with Christ, we must depend totally on God’s grace. Apart from Christ, there is no way for our sins to be forgiven or removed; and to receive glory.

Hymn: “It is Glory Just to Walk With Him”


Reflection 2
1 Corinthians 1: 18;
“I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds, to those who are on the road to destruction. But, we, who are being saved, recognize this message as the very power of God!”

The massage, from Isaiah 53;
“Surely He took up our pain and bore our sufferings, yet, we considered Him punished by God, stricken by Him, and afflicted. But, he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds, we were healed.”

For non-believers, the message of salvation is hard to understand and even (harder), at times, to accept: life eternal, through death upon the cross – how can this be? They think that what Christ did for us, was simply punishment for what we’ve done to Him.

But, for those of us who do believe, the message is simply. We are separated from God (and His love), by the sins we commit. The punishment for sin is death; death to the soul and spirit, and physical and eternal death to the body. But, God, in all His mercy and grace sent Jesus to earth, to die upon the cross, to pay the debt, to pay for our transgression, to appease an angry god – Himself. God saw the problem (for no sin will go unpunished) and He presented the solution (Christ Jesus).

Christ took on all our iniquities, and made right our relationship with God, once again. Christ was the atonement of our sins, Christ was the substitute for our lives, and Christ was our saving grace – at the cross.

Hymn: “At The Cross”


Reflection 3
John 19:37;
“They will look on the One they have pierced.”

As we look to the cross, and look at what Christ has done for all humanity, we can’t but feel, something. It is all about the suffering, the pain and the death. Christ was crucified just for us – no other reason – just so we would live eternally with God in Heaven.

Image, standing at the foot of the cross, with the disciple, John, Jesus’ mother, Mary, the Roman soldiers, and the angry mob. Image, looking up at the ‘nailed’ Prince of Heaven. Image watching Him die, knowing your sins put Him there.

Being thankful, loving Christ with all your heart and all your soul, and complete dedication of your lives to Him is the appropriate response – for His gift to you. Your Lord does not want you to try and repay Him for His love and His sacrifice with sorrow, guilt, your good works or with any anything else.

All, He really wants in return is you, all of you – your love, your dedication, your soul, your life, your all.

Hymn: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”


Reflection 4

Matthew 28:2;
“And there was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from Heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone, and sat on it.”

Acts 2:24;
“God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep it’s hold on Him.”

The stone was rolled back, not so Jesus could get out, but for others to get in and see that Jesus had (indeed) risen from the dead, just as He had promised.

The Resurrection of Jesus was the ultimate sign, that what He said about Himself was true. The Resurrection, was the fulfillment of all the prophecies about the Great Messiah. It is the reason to believe in Jesus’ teachings and all His promises.

Jesus told His disciples that the Son of Man must die, as written in the scriptures (long ago). He also told them He would rise from the grave and be the First-Fruit of the harvest of the dead – for God’s Kingdom – for Christ Arose.

Hymn: “Christ Arose”


Reflection 5

Revelation 1:17-18;
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. Then He placed His right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now, look, I am alive forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared in glory and splendor before the disciples, the 2 Mary’s and others. Sin and the influences of Satan killed Him, but death could not hold Him. Jesus is the Lord, powerful and mighty, and we have full access to His strength at all times.

Our sins have convicted us and sentenced us, But Jesus holds the keys of death and the grave. He will resurrect us, bring us back to life, raise us from the dead, restore us to life, breathe new life into us, and simply save us from ourselves. He alone can free us from eternal bondage to Satan and grant to us eternal life within the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Life-everlasting.

All you must do, is turn from a life of sin and turn to Christ in faith. And, when you place your life in Christ’s hands, He restore you, now, and will resurrect you later, at His Second Coming, to that eternal, peaceful relationship with God.

Hymn: “He Lives”


Reflection 6

1 Timothy 4:10;
“We have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe!”

Christ is the Living Lord and is the savior for all. But, His salvation becomes effective only for those who trust Him. The salvation of our living Lord is full of hope and strength. The salvation of our living Lord is rock solid, comforting and righteous. The salvation of our Living Lord is victorious and powerful. All this can be found, In Christ, Alone.

Praise song: “In Christ Alone”


Benediction
Easter is not only about a new life, here and now. It is also about the future. For there is a wonderful future promised beyond death, for all who believe the Easter message.

At the sound of the last trumpet, the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again. Then the scripture will become reality; “Death has lost the battle! Where is its victory? Where is its sting?”

Christ is risen, Christ is risen, indeed!

Let Us Pray;
Thank you, God, for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the final victory over earthly death.
Thank you, God, that Jesus died for us on the cross.
Thank you, God, that you brought Him back to life.
Help us to believe that these things really did happen, grant to us a strong, strong faith.
Help us to look forward to an eternal future of joy with you, our living and resurrected Lord.


You are the God of love, thank you that You have reached out to us, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Only a love like Yours can heal, serve, and forgive. Help us to forever believe in You and accept your forgiveness. Help us to live a life worthy of your love. Help us also to never forget the sacrifice that Jesus made this week.

We live because of your love, mercy and grace. Amen

Blessings upon you all!
Happy Easter!