The power of resurrection

When I’m extremely happy, I usually express my joy with songs of praise. If this is your case, then kindly sing with me: “This is the day of joy, the day of joy, the day of joy!!! This is the day of joy, the day of joy – that the Lord has made – Alleluia! This is the day of joy…” No wonder, in today’s responsorial Psalm the Psalmist declares, “This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad” (Psalm 118:24). What a joyful day, the day of the Lord…. a joyful day we are happy and glad! Child of God, your period of sorrow is over! From today, you will rejoice in the Lord. No more sorrow. No more weeping. From today, you will celebrate and you will be celebrated.

You may be wondering why am I so happy today, and what is the cause of my joy. I am happy because today, the impossible has become possible; the worst situation has turned into the best situation! Today, God brought His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, back to life. JESUS is risen – Alleluia! By dying, He has destroyed our death and by rising, He has restored our lives. Death has no more power over him. Whoever believes in Christ Jesus will no longer perish but will have eternal life – Alleluia!!!

The death of Christ Jesus was not accidental. He knew he was going to suffer and eventually die in place of the people He loved so much. Before His arrest, He even told His followers, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Luke 9:22) That was exactly what happened!

In Acts 10:38-40, St. Peter testified concerning Jesus, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him… They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day.” This is exactly what we are celebrating, namely, the resurrection of Christ. Jesus was not just anointed; He was also brought back to life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The enemies did their worst, but God did His best in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ by bringing Him back to life after His crucifixion. With the resurrection of Christ, death has no more power over Him. As St. Paul rightly declares, “Death has been swallowed up in victory… thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:54) Our victory over death was made manifest in Christ Jesus by the power of His resurrection.

Jesus assured His followers, “In the world you will face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33). Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is the Victorious Messiah. He has not just conquered the world, but has also conquered Satan and of course, our last enemy, which is death. This complete victory is made possible by the power of resurrection.

After His resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… (Matthew 28:18) Our Lord Jesus Christ is a Man with the highest authority. This authority was made manifest by the power of resurrection.

Child of God, as you celebrate this year’s Easter, God will clothe you with this same power of resurrection. With this power, you shall remain unbeatable! No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper. And it shall be well with you in Jesus name – Amen! HAPPY EASTER!!!