Resurrection Power

The look on his face was a picture. “What do you mean there’s no power?”

The realisation of the consequences dawned. The order in itself was interesting.

“No power means no connection to the internet. No communication. No coffee machine. No light to see by. No power to be heated by, to cook with, no washing machine….How long will this last for?”

The loss of electrical power, however temporary, is salutary. It reminds us of our dependency. Without Jesus’ resurrection, we would not know the presence and power of God. And the world would be hopeless.

Because the account of Jesus’ resurrection is so familiar, it’s all too easy to forget to appreciate the significance of the resurrection.

The apostle Paul wrote that if Jesus was not raised from the dead then our “faith is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14), in fact “futile” (v. 17) and we would be without hope in both life and death. The resurrection reveals the character and purpose of God, offers forgiveness for our sins and restores us to a personal relationship with the living God today and forever.

And Jesus’ resurrection inaugurates the rule and reign of God right now. Through the resurrection, God is “making all things new” (Revelation 23:5) – as God desires. The same power that raised Christ from the dead, the Holy Spirit, is offered to every Christian so that we can live in the increasing fullness of God’s love and continue the work of Jesus in our day. This was the transforming experience of the witnesses at the empty tomb that first Easter day and every disciple of Jesus since His resurrection. This is why we celebrate on Easter Sunday. And this is why we can live each new day with hope.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)