As we remember today, Resurrection Sunday, the sacrificial act of Jesus who came on this earth so humbly… a Nazarene, born in a manger, rode on a donkey.
He did not portray an expected image of a king.
Isaiah 53:2:
“For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him”.
Jesus’s significance did not lie in His physical appearance but in His divine mission and sacrificial love.
In today’s world, people often value their outward appearance, but we know ‘beauty is fleeting’.
Jesus’s disposition and teachings allow us to reflect on our character and the importance that our hearts should carry more weight.
He left beaten, mocked and abused.
He suffered for us.
Because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
He went through rejection, betrayal and hatred.
Isaiah 53:3: “ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was depised and we esteemed Him not”.
When people hurt us, will we turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-48), or will we be ready to stone them?
Jesus is mercy and grace.
The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Ultimately, sin leads to death, but Jesus is our redemption, hope, and glory.
Jesus took away the bondage of sin.
He has made us free.
Jesus conquered death.
HALLELUJAH!
This redemption song has been playing in my head over the past few days .. ‘Up from the grave, He arose’..
Death could not hold Him.
He is no longer on that cross but ALIVE.
Revelation 1:18 declares, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hell and of death”.
He is not a dead God like other religions and not a prophet but a living God.
Please note- it is not about religion but a relationship.
He is ready to commune with you right now.
No matter how far away from God you feel, He is there “If I ascend up into heaven thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there” (Psalm 139:8).
You may feel lost and isolated.
At times, people can pass judgment.
But my God is good and compassionate, and He is THE righteous judge (Psalms 7:11).
The Parable of the Lost Sheep demonstrates that Jesus will always leave the 99 and go after the one lost sheep (Luke 15).
Understand this: Jesus loves you.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
I do not only remember what Jesus has done for me on this day, but I give continual thanks and praise to my God and Saviour.
The King of Kings.
Because of Jesus, I have a blessed assurance and promise.
I am redeemed and set free.
I know through Jesus Christ by surrendering, giving my life to Him and repenting from my sins.
I walk in His power and authority and am ‘above and not beneath’.
Philippians 4:13 reminds us that “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
No matter the obstacle or the battle, I am more than able.
Many people are fearful of dying, even some Christians.
Even though our body dies and goes down in the earth.
With Jesus, our soul lives on forevermore.
Like Christ, we will ARISE!
… Death, where is your sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55).
PRAYER
Father, in the Name of Jesus,
King of Kings,
Lord of Lords,
We give you thanks and praise,
We provide you with all the honour and glory,
Thank you that you died so we may live,
Thank you for the price you paid for our sins,
Thank you for setting us free from death,
We thank you for your love, mercy and grace,
Thank you for your blessed assurance,
Thank you that you have never abandoned us,
You always welcome us into your arms,
We pray for those lost and longing,
We pray for them to find peace in you,
Purify our hearts, Oh Lord.
May we reflect you, Jesus,
Let us possess your character,
May we stay humble,
May we be quick to forgive others,
Remove any bitterness or unforgiveness,
May we not judge,
We know our sins are nailed to the cross,
Our past has been forgotten,
We are redeemed,
We continue to surrender and give our lives to you,
We look to you, Jesus,
We repent continually from our sins,
Wash us afresh this day,
We give our gratitude to you, Oh Lord.
Blessed Saviour,
Our Rock and our Redeemer,
May we never forget all you have done for us,
May we commune with you daily,
We give you all our worship,
Our adoration,
We know you have given us your power and authority,
Continue to provide us with your strength,
I declare we can do all things in you, Jesus.
We will have your victory!
I declare we shall follow you all the days of our lives,
We will overcome death!
And enter your new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21),
In your precious Holy Name.
Amen.
Jaeger.V
20/04/25