A RESURRECTED LIFE

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." (Matthew 28:1-7)

On the third day, after the death of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to "look" at the tomb on the first day of the week. They would not be able to move the stone for it would be too heavy. Also, there were Roman guards posted.

Christ had risen before the stone was rolled away. There was an earthquake, no, there was a "violent earthquake" and I believe that Christ's Resurrection beforehand was so awesome and His victory so impactful that nature had to react. Also, this was the cue to the Angel of The Stone to roll it away. The Son of God did not need The Stone to be removed for Him to be raised. The Stone was rolled away for our access to the miracle of The Resurrection. Even the Roman soldiers were allowed to experience the earthquake and witness the angel descend from heaven, stroll over to the entrance of the tomb, and roll back the stone! an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28:2-4)

I believe in a Savior who has not only conquered the grave (tomb), but has the keys to death and hell (Revelation 1:18). In order to have those "keys" and victories, you have to visit and experience them both. (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) (Ephesians 4:7-10)

Going through a dead time in your life right now? Are you staring defeat square in the face? No matter what you are going through Jesus has supernaturally experienced "it" All. Christ made a huge impact on death and in Hell too because "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." (Ephesians 4:8) He has gone before us so that when we are "hard-pressed on every side" we are not "crushed"; when we are "perplexed", we are not in "despair"; when we are "persecuted", we are not "abandoned"; and when we are "struck down" we are not "destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). He got back up so that we could too!

Now all we have to do as believers is acknowledge and operate in His Resurrection power that lives within us by the Holy Spirit - And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11) Twice, once as a question and then as a declaration, the Spirit is mentioned as "living in you". Because He lives, I live also (John 14:19). The benefit we reap is life, an abundant life, A Resurrected Life.

Because He Lives

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