Resurrection!

Many Christians will set aside tomorrow as a special day in which to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Why this day? There are many people who will argue for varied reasons that we should not celebrate this day. In reality each day is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ. However, celebrating that first day of the week following Passover is a special recognition that Jesus is the eternal Passover sacrifice. Hearkening back to the Exodus, God's great deliverance of his people Israel from Egyptian bondage, the Passover prophecies the deliverance of God's elect, the church, from the bondage of death. Why not celebrate that!

Christ's sacrifice at Golgotha is the pivotal point in God's eternal plan of redemption. His atonement for the elect is an incredible action. Why would Holy God die for sinful man? At the baseline of the answer is that it brings him great glory. Many today say that the sacrifice of Christ was to ransom men from the realm of Satan. Ridiculous! Satan has no power over the actions of God. He is a created being. His hands are bound by God. (Just read Job and see.) No, the sacrifice of Christ was to appease the just wrath of a holy God.

The following prayer comes from 'The Valley of Vision', published by Banner of Truth. In a very poignant fashion it brings to bear the reality and result of the ressurection of our Lord.

O God of my Exodus
Great was the joy of Israel's son,
when Egypt died upon the shore,
far greater the joy
when the Redeemer's foe lay crushed in the dust.

Jesus strides forth as the victor,
conqueror of death, hell and all opposing might;
He bursts the bands of death,
tramples the powers of darkness down,
lives for ever.
He my gracious surety,
apprehened for payment of my debt,
comes forth from the prison house of the grave
free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death.
Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering
is accepted,
that the claims of justice are satisfied,
that the devil's sceptre is shivered,
that the wrongful thron is levelled.
Give me the assurance that in Christ I died,
in him I rose,
in his life I live, in his victory I triumph,
in his acension I shall be glorified.
Adorable Redeemer,
thou who wast lifted up upon a cross.
art ascended to the highest heaven.
Thou, who as man of sorrows
wast crowned with thorns,
art now as Lord of life wreathed with glory.
Once, no shame more deep than thine,
no agony more bitter,
no death more cruel.
Now, no exaltation more high,
no life more glorious,
no advocate more effective.
Thou are in the triumph car leading captive
thine enemies behind thee.
What more could be done than thou hast done!
Thy death is my life,
thy resurrection my peace,
thy ascension my hope,
thy prayers my comfort.