A NEW LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS

Very early on Sunday Morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared for Jesus' body. Upon arriving at the tomb, they found that the stone at its entrance had been rolled away. To their amazement, they couldn't find Jesus' body. Two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed that looked like lightning or shining robes (these two men were angelic beings). The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man (Jesus) must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that He would rise again on the third day." Then they remembered that He had said this. So, they rushed back and told the eleven apostles and everyone else what had happened (Luke 24:1-9).

The disciples should not have been surprised when Jesus was resurrected on the third day because He had told them several times (Mark 8:31-33, 9:30-32, and 10:32-34; Matthew 17:22-23 and Matthew 20:17-19). However, the disciples didn't understand what Jesus was telling them. It was God's plan for Jesus to die and be resurrected from the dead on the third day. The death of our Lord Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. It was His blood on the cross that washed away all of our past sins. Forgiveness of sins came from the cross. However, our Lord Jesus' resurrection gave us a new life in Him. His resurrection completed our salvation. Romans 6:4 says, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Jesus' resurrection gave us a new beginning. We do not need to live in the past, for God has given us a new life through His resurrection. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it important for Jesus to be resurrected? What does it mean to have a new life in Christ Jesus? What did I learn from today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for raising my Lord Jesus from the dead. Through His resurrection, I received a new life. Please help me to live in this new life that you have given me, and not live in the past. Please do not let the past sins and shame control me anymore, but live and enjoy this new life and a new beginning that has been freed from past sins. Thank you for your grace, love, and mercy. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.