Power of the Resurrection 5

by | Apr 6, 2012 | News & Updates

In this final Easter devotional we look at the ramifications of the resurrection through the eyes of Peter who, as we saw earlier in the week, had a front row seat to the power displayed by Christ’s resurrection. Without it Peter probably dies a depressed fisherman, reminded his entire life by the crow of a rooster that he betrayed his teacher and friend. 

1 Peter 1:18-23

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

18 For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was chosen before the foundation of the world but was revealed at the end of the times for you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 By obedience to the truth, having purified yourselves for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.

In this passage Peter brings up three specific actions that should follow through because of belief in Jesus, His sacrifice and resurrection. According to verse 21 our belief in Christ makes us believers in God, who raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory, SO THAT our faith would be in God. The power of the resurrection is that it fuels our faith in God. And why shouldn’t it! If God has the power to conquer death what can’t he do? Forgive sin? Bring peace with Himself? Give purpose? Of course! All those are possible, in fact nothing is impossible for one who has the power to supersede death. The power of the resurrection is that it provides an irrefutable illustration of why we have all we need in God. He is worthy of my trust, worthy of my faith.

We also know according to verse 21 that the power of the resurrection impacts our hope. Paul is reminding us of the statement he made up in verses 3-5, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” This hope is fully alive, it is not spoiling or disintegrating, it is on reserve for me in heaven with God who is protecting me by his might until it’s ready to be revealed. The power of the resurrection is for an eternal hope. One that lasts forever and is perfect. What more could there be? Who could promise more and deliver? Christ’s victory over death is all I need to know to trust him with my future.

Finally, reading down in verses 22-23 Peter helps us see that love must be the natural reaction to the faith and hope brought about by the power of the resurrection. We must “love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” Wouldn’t that be the obvious reaction? Not the easiest, but the most obvious. The grace poured out on us should find us a natural chanel  to overflow grace on to the others around us. In other words- share the power of the resurrection, let others know, by your love, that you were changed by Christ who conquers death!

Students and parents,  I hope you have been challenged during the last five days to consider the power of the resurrection. It is really not just for Easter. I hope you have seen in scripture just how radically changed those who witnessed the resurrection were because of it. I hope and pray that you too would have renewed faith, hope and love in Christ because he has conquered death on your behalf.