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Sunday Morning Miracle
The unique expression of John is recorded in Revelation 1:10, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” Of what other day could John be speaking than the first day of the week? The first day is still a most significant day to the Lord’s people.
Each of the four narratives of Jesus’ life directs our attention to the day (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). We should be careful not to overlook a fact so strongly emphasized – the day of Jesus’ dramatic resurrection. The great day of Pentecost follows (Acts 2), a feast day that always occurred on the first day of the week. And it should come as no surprise that the early believers convened on that day for worship and partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). Further, the giving of disciples on behalf of the poor saints in Judea would logically be collected on this important day of assembling (1 Cor. 16:1-2). What a glorious day!
Death Swallowed Up in Victory
Though forewarned, the disciples struggled to grasp how Jesus could be the Messiah in spite of His death (Matt. 16:21-23). Peter refused to acknowledge the possibility and, later, all the disciples were grieved when Jesus again announced His death and resurrection (Matt. 17:22-23). Two men on the road to Emmaus also saw little hope of the redemption of Israel after the death of Jesus (Luke 24:19-21).
What appeared to be defeat was anything but. The innocent sufferer pays sin’s penalty and crushes the serpent’s power, and on that awesome first day, bruised him on the head (Gen. 3:15).
Imagine Satan’s shock! While he reels from the blow, the message of hope emerges that ancient first day, “He is not here; He is risen.” The evil one contributed to his own defeat. The enemies of Jesus confirmed His death (John 19:32-34). Afraid of His resurrection promise, they secured the grave, set a seal on the stone and posted a guard (Matt. 27:62-66). On that great first day, the earth quakes severely. The stone rolls away. An angel in glorious array sits atop the stone. The guards shake in fear. The great announcement rings.
The disciples are informed, “He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you” (Mark 16:6-7). Informed by the risen Lord, the two men on Emmaus’ road hear, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory” (Luke 24:25-26)? Having hearts that burned (24:32), these two search for the eleven in Jerusalem and upon finding them declare, “The Lord has risen!”
A Burning in Our Hearts
Because He lives, believers embrace hope of immortality. Because He lives, we can confidently approach His throne. Because He lives, all doubts should be vanquished. God is real. The spirits of believers are buoyed and enlivened by this one fact alone – He lives!
The resurrection validates everything. We can approach God with unshaken confidence and unswerving conviction. According to John 2:19-22, the disciples could not fathom the statement, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Post-resurrection, they understood it with great clarity. “When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had spoken.”
Jesus’ death and resurrection serve as the linchpin of our hope. The Apostle Paul labeled it “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). And the historical witnesses of the event are legion – all of the Apostles (including Paul) and over 500 people who saw Him together at one time (1 Cor. 15:5-8! Though some of them no longer could verify the claim when he wrote to the Corinthians – “some have fallen asleep” – he attests that most of those witnesses still lived. Truly, “this has not been done in a corner” (Acts 26:26).
How do we know that faith leading to repentance, confession, and immersion in water truly causes spiritual rebirth? The resurrection confirms it (1 Pet. 1:3; 3:21). How do we know that a final Day of Judgment looms? The resurrection furnishes proof (Acts 17:31). Jesus is indeed the reigning Son of God (Rom. 1:4-5).
Jesus sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3). Since He “passed through the heavens,” we can “hold fast our confidence without wavering” (Heb. 4:14). Unconcerned that I hold a minority view in our world, I am completely convinced “He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).
I can give no greater answer to discouragement, nothing more motivating to persevere no matter what, no more cheer-giving words in the face of adversity than these – Jesus lives!
