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Encountering the risen lord

By Revd. Olusola Idowu
21 April 2019   |   4:07 am
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed, You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. HE IS RISEN! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him (Mark 16:6, NKJV).

Rev. Olusola Idowu

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed, You seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. HE IS RISEN! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him (Mark 16:6, NKJV).

Today, Christians worldwide celebrate Easter Sunday in commemoration of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the crux of Christianity. It is what defines our hope and expectation of eternity with the Lord God Almighty. Jesus Christ came to the world purposely to reconcile humanity back to God. Mankind had fallen as a result of sin and death was the greatest consequence of this fall. Unfortunately, death became too powerful for man to handle that he could neither appease nor overcome it. All attempts in forms of sacrifices and other rituals proved abortive, as death continued to have dominion over mankind. But thanks be to our God, Who has given us victory over death through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Risen LORD (1 Corinthians 15:55-58). The Lord Jesus Christ came to this world and went about doing well to all people (Acts 10:38). He was, however, selfishly betrayed by Judas Iscariot; illegally arrested by the armed men of the High Priest; unjustly tried by the Sanhedrin (the highest Jewish ruling council); maliciously handed over to the Roman powers; unfairly sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Roman Powers upon the request of the people who preferred a hardened criminal above Him and ceaselessly shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him”; and was cruelly executed by the Roman soldiers. While on the cross, Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life, as He breathed His last, following a loud cry and the tearing of the curtain of the temple area into two from top to bottom. His body was buried by Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:33-47). The story did not end there. On the third day after the Sabbath, some women (disciples) who had followed Him faithfully came to the tomb to anoint His body. But to their greatest surprise, He had conquered the power of death and grave. Hallelujah! He had risen from the dead. They came to meet a dead body, but they encountered the Risen LORD (Mark 16:1-8).

As we celebrate another Easter Sunday this year, I joyfully invite you to have a fresh encounter with the Risen LORD, because:
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Forgiveness because the Risen LORD forgives – Mark 2:5.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Healing because the Risen LORD heals – Mark 1:34; 2:11-12.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Deliverance because the Risen LORD delivers – Mark 5:1-13.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Provisions because the Risen LORD provides – Mark 6:30-44; 8:1-10.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Victory over Storms of life because the Risen LORD rides and walks on the storms – Mark 4:37; 6:48.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Life because the Risen LORD gives life – Mark 5:41.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Acceptance because the Risen LORD welcomes all – Mark 7:24-30.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Possibilities because with the Risen LORD all things are possible – Mark 10:27.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Light because the Risen LORD is the Light – John 8:12.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Direction because the Risen LORD is the Way, Truth and Life – John 14:6.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Fruitfulness because the Risen LORD is the True Vine – John 15:1-5.
• Encountering the Risen LORD means experiencing Victory over Death because the Risen LORD conquered death – Mark 16:6; John 11:25.
Revd. Olusola Idowu, PhD, Church Pastor, The Ajayi DAHUNSI MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH, Ilasamaja, Lagos Living is Christ (Phil. 1:21)

We serve the Living God. Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ is alive. He is alive forever more. The sting of death is gone and now, each and every one of us can have in us life eternal. Remember, Jesus Christ is no more in the tomb. Death could not hold Him captive, as He shattered the grip of death and conquered the power of grave. The tomb where He was buried is now empty. Jesus Christ is alive. He is the Risen LORD. An encounter with Him brings about total restoration; makes all things new; and guarantees a better tomorrow. Indeed, because He lives, we can face tomorrow.

Revd. Olusola Idowu, PhD, Church Pastor, The Ajayi Dahunsi Memorial Baptist Church, Ilasamaja, Lagos Living is Christ (Phil. 1:21)
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