One-a-Day...for the Heart: Resurrection Power
Lights! Camera! Action! Every time the hand of God touched humanity, there was a dramatic demonstration of supernatural POWER. When Father God spoke the universe into existence at creation, never-before-seen phenomena appeared—oceans, mountains, skies, sun, moon, stars, animals, flowers, trees--the list goes on and on. Then He created the grand finale, and Adam and Eve were formed from dust and a rib. It was far beyond the concept of waving a magic wand and sprinkling fairy dust. It was the reality of power generated by an immortal, invisible God who could create something from nothing and change death into life. It was resurrection power and continues to bring the wow factor into anything He does.
The breath of God brought life into Adam. Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man [Adam] became a living person (Genesis 2:7). What a powerful moment when Adam drew his first breath. A dynamic moment! In the New Testament, God's power is referred to as dunamis, which literally means “miraculous power, force, strength, might,” from which we get the word "dynamite." The power of God was breathed into Adam, and what was lifeless came to life.
So here we are on Easter weekend, planning a delicious holiday meal, scurrying in and out of stores to pick up a few things for kids’ Easter baskets, or completing a new spring outfit. We are energized by the new spring life around us—daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, green grass, cherry blossoms, warm temperatures, and sunshine. Life wakes us up, but specifically, Christ’s life wakes us up.
Resurrection equals power. When Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, the hand of God touched humanity in His most potent display ever. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!). For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7 NLT).
Power belongs to God, Psalm 62:10 (ESV) says. That is a miracle-working, life-producing power that was evidenced at creation and then dramatically re-emphasized at the resurrection of Christ. New Testament resurrection power was fully released to the Church at Christ’s ascension when He said in Acts 1:8 (NLT), “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere.” Immediately after saying that, a cloud overshadowed Jesus, and He disappeared as He ascended to heaven and took His place, seated at the right hand of the Father.
The power for us began at the cross. The dead, mutilated body of our Savior was taken down and buried. On the cross, He said, “It is finished,” and His purpose for coming to earth was accomplished. He was born to die, and so He did. But God’s power of resurrection was released after Christ’s death, and in the hours preceding resurrection morning, the jolt of resurrection power flowed through Christ’s body and called Him out of death to life.
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-19 NLT). Resurrection life and power are the crown jewels of the cross experience. The horrors of Christ’s crucifixion and death are replaced by the wonders of eternal life and friendship with God. Moreover, "the very power of God" in us means that our prayers matter to God and can radically change and pierce the darkness around us!
The best part of Christ’s resurrection is what’s in it for US. And God will raise us from the dead by His power, just as He raised our Lord from the dead (1 Corinthians 6:14 NLT). The MESSAGE translation says God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power.
Our first jolt of resurrection power comes when we receive Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, giving Him the ownership rights to us. It’s a big step of faith, but the only way to join Him in heaven and the only way to secure peace and fulfillment here on earth. The second jolt of resurrection power will occur when we die or meet the Lord in the air at the taking out of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). All these experiences promise to be miraculous, strengthening, and powerful. DY-NA-MITE!!
Dear friends have a blessed Easter, and rejoice in the knowledge of God’s resurrection power!
© 2023, Chris Werre