Happy Easter!

Today is a day that alot of people stop and remember all the Christ has done for us. To think about the sacrifice that was made. The pain and ridicule that he endured for our sake. And above all Jesus' VICTORY over death and the grave.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to Christian belief. His immaculate conception, His amazing miracles and teachings, and even His ultimate sacrifice of shedding his own blood would all be pointless if it weren't for the resurrection. My faith would be worthless if I only believed that Christ was good man, a good teacher, and zealous for what he believed. I could even believe that he died as a sacrifice but if I don't believe that he was raised from the dead there is no reason for me to believe anything Him.

Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 15:12-23
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not be raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, and the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead come also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

How amazing is that! We are made new through the resurrection of Jesus Christ! We have a hope in something far beyond this life. We are given the chance to join Christ in his victory over death. This world offers death and despair but Christ gives us the free gift of life eternal. That just blows my mind.

Honestly, it saddens me to think that there are so many people who only use this one day of the year to semi-ponder these mysteries. They think it is a good day to thank God for all of the good things in their life and they totally miss the point. God has offered us so much and if you really grasp even a small part of this reality it consumes who you are. Your life is totally changed bit by bit. We must open our eyes to see that we are a new creation! If we are in Christ we are no longer slaves to sin. Period. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We are made new through His grace! We have hope that exceeds all knowledge and logic!

We should celebrate these amazing truths everyday of our lives.