A Resurrection Reminder In The Christmas Season

He Is Risen! 

This is not a phrase you hear much at this time of year. But that is actually the reason we celebrate this season of Christ's birth so vigorously. Jesus was born. That is a truth of history. But He was born to live, die, and rise again. He is risen! That is a truth of eternity. Jesus will never be born again. But He will always be risen from the dead. 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating the coming of Jesus in human form as a man. But let us not leave Him in a manger. He has a cross to bear, and a tomb to leave. It was all part of the Christmas package, if you will. Here is the Gift that will keep on giving. He came. He lived. He died. He rose. He lives forevermore. Here is how Matthew relates the resurrection of the Christmas Child...

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.
But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
(Matthew 28:1-7)

Angels announced Christ's birth. They also announced His resurrection. Now we are to carry that message to a broken and hopeless world. An angel is a messenger. There are heavenly messengers, and there are human messengers. Pastors are called angels. We are all messengers. During this season, you get to be an angel, telling the world that Christ was born, and He is alive.

Jesus was born to a woman. That is what makes Him human. He is risen from the dead, under His own power. That shows us He is God. Today, live in the wonder that God became man. And live in the glory that the same power that raised Him from the dead is raising us up to live lives that are pleasing to Him.

[Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.]
 
Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry.
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