The Hope of all the World

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27

Mohammed, Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha), Confucius, and Jesus Christ: To many, these names are all of equal value; they represent great teachers who spoke words of wisdom and enlightenment. They are the leaders of major religions, and their words and ideas live to this day, each having won the loyalty of millions and even billions of followers. All four of these men died and were buried. However, three still lie in the grave.

This coming Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the Passover he was slaughtered as our spotless Passover lamb. As in Egypt, his blood was placed over us to protect us and shield us from the judgment of God. Then, Christ conquered sin - and death itself - by rising again.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. - Matthew 28:5,6

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1Corinthians 15:55-57

Resurrection Sunday should be a day of greatest rejoicing. Christ Jesus lives today! We have a living Lord, a living Savior, a living Hope. He has broken the power of death and sin over our lives! Through him, each of us can escape God's wrath and live forever. This is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without Christ's resurrection, we have nothing.

However, Christ did rise, and appeared not to a few, but to over five hundred people, including Paul - as one born late (1Cor 15:8). Billions of people through the centuries have had their lives changed by the living power of Jesus Christ, and to this day, his resurrection power heals and restores and gives new life. We are witnesses to that life-giving power here at the McKnight Road Church of Christ. How do we know Christ lives? We've watched him change our lives and the lives of people around us! We've watched him heal and restore over and over! Praise God - he will continue to do so until his return!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you... -1 Peter 1:3,4

We encourage you to make the most of the Passover feast, and of this coming Resurrection Sunday, to truly celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the hope we have in him. Clap your hands, all ye people. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph!