Soon after that first resurrection day followers of Jesus began greeting one another by saying, “Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!” The whole message of the gospel can be summed up in these few words: “Jesus is risen!”
The world is filled with religions built on various philosophies or personalities. But only the Christian faith claims its founder was raised from the dead and is alive today. “He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” This is the heartbeat of the good news.
The cross and the grave are not the end! Following Jesus is not a dead-end street. The angel seated at the tomb not only invited the women to see the empty tomb. He also gave instructions for a new way into the future. “Go, tell his disciples and Peter, &lsquoHe is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Today, in all the world, Jesus the living Lord is on the move: in our churches and in our schools, in our workplaces and our marketplaces. We are called to follow in his footsteps, bringing the good news of Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and destruction in our words and by our actions. We have been given the privilege of telling others so that they may know Jesus, the risen Savior of the world.
Lord, thank you that you not only rose from the grave but are on the move, changing the world as you go. May we follow you, our living Lord, with joy and courage. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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