‭Philippians 3:10 NKJV‬

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 

 

‭Philippians 3:10 AMP‬

[10] And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 

 

Today is Easter Monday.This day marked the beginning of a 40 day period after resurrection, when Jesus appeared to believers before he ascended to heaven.

 

Acts 1:3 NLT

During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

 

After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days teaching his disciples, and they were dramatically changed. Before his resurrection, they had argued with each other and had deserted their Lord. One of them, Peter, had even lied about knowing Jesus. Here, in a series of meetings with the living, resurrected Jesus, the disciples had many questions answered. 

 

Jesus proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. He demonstrated  the power of his resurrection.

 

Jesus disciples became convinced of his resurrection, learned about the Kingdom of God, and discovered their power source—the Holy Spirit. 

 

Implications and impact of the resurrection

 

Most believers know about Jesus resurrection as historical event but few fully understand the implications and impact of the resurrection power.

 

As I was reflecting on what took place after the resurrection, it is tempting to conclude: "If only we could have encountered or walked with Jesus, as the twelve disciples did, it would be so much easier to live the Christian life!" 

 

However, the problem with that kind of thinking reveals that we do not comprehend the greatness of the risen Christ we serve today. It also shows that we underestimate or do not fully understand the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

 

What is the resurrection power of Jesus Christ?

 

Jesus did not raise himself from the dead. The Holy Spirit was the power that activated the resurrection and it is the same power that we have access to as His followers. This power is not just a theoretical concept, but something that we can experience in our lives today. 

‭

Romans 8:11 NKJV‬

 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 

 

Bro Eddy mentioned in yesterday's devotion about how the early believers reacted in fear after the crucifixion. To overcome the fear, this could have been one of the reasons  Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 1:4 NLT Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.)

 

Yesterday as I was meditating on this scripture, I was looking at my wedding ring on my finger and thought about how I proposed to my wife 16 years ago. We are actually celebrating our 16th anniversary this month. The Lord blessed me with my wife to be my helper. I  wouldn't be able to list the countless occasions I have needed her help over the past 16 years.  (Genesis 2:18 NLT Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.")

 

Similary, one of the names of the Holy Spirit is The Helper‭( see John 16:7 NKJV‬ Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.)

 

 

 

Jesus promised to give the Holy Spirit as God’s guarantee of eternal life for those who believe in him.(see John 14:15-18)

 

The Holy Spirit resides within us now by faith. We are carriers of His presence and power.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT

Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

 

When we become one with Christ by trusting in him, we experience the power that raised him from the dead. That same mighty resurrection power helps us live morally renewed and regenerated lives.

 

The resurrection power that we have through Jesus gives us the ability to overcome sin and temptation, to find hope and joy even in difficult circumstances, and to live with the assurance that we will one day be raised to new life with Christ. 

 

The resurrection power of Jesus is a source of strength, comfort, and hope that we can rely on every day,and even during challenging seasons in our lives. It is a reminder that with God, all things are possible.

 

During the Easter season, we remember the pain and shame that Jesus bore, just for us. Jesus willingly experienced a horrendous beating and crucifixion just so we could experience abundant life now and in eternity. 

 

When Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified, He defeated death. Satan was defeated, conquered, and under Jesus' feet. This is what Resurrection power means. Satan has no power over you and me unless we give him that power and he has no authority unless we give it to him. Jesus bore the curse so that the power of the curse over us would be broken.

 

The most important benefit of the resurrection is that you and I are redeemed if we believe in the finished work of the cross. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection were all part of God's redemptive plan for us. 

 

In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve broke the covenant of fellowship that we should have had with God in the garden of Eden but the death and resurrection of Jesus restores it.

 

Because Jesus Christ is risen, He powerfully and explosively impacts our life. Jesus has the power to affect every part of our life and that includes our past, present, and future.The resurrection of Christ redefines everything about how we view life including our perception about the love of God. 

 

He has paid the price for us to walk in victory over sin and its effects.We are no longer slaves to sin! 

 

1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT

But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

This means that anything that we have done in the past, things that we probably regret doing, we can just lay them all down at the feet of Jesus. The regret of our sins from our past, present, and future have been paid for. Our debt is canceled and the power of the resurrection is that we don't have to keep making the same mistakes. 

 

We are now invited to partner with the Holy Spirit to walk in a new resurrected life. (2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.)

 

This means that we have to surrender everything in our lives to God and trust Him to bring beauty out of the ashes. 

We just have to choose to live and walk in the resurrection power that Jesus has harnessed for us. We are meant to live and thrive every day in His resurrection power. 

 

The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is living inside every Christ-follower.

 

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power [20] that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.

 

How does Jesus resurrection impact your life?

 

As a follower of Christ, your life can be transformed by this same resurrection power. When we fellowship with Him, The Holy Spirit - the power behind the resurrection,  is the one who brings that transformation. 

 

As we  yield to Him and submit to His guidance, He will change our lives by aligning our character to be more Christ like. He will give you access to the benefits of the resurrection power that will influence every area of your life.

 

 

 

Prayer 

 

1. Let us spend some time in worship and adoration of our risen Lord with the knowledge and understanding that as we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us. (James 4:8)

 

2.Let us thank God for sending His one and only Son to save us from sin. Let us thank Him for the redemption and for the finished work of the cross.

 

3. Let us repent of the times we have underestimated the resurrection power Jesus Christ as a result of any challenges we have faced and let us come boldly into the throne of grace, where we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

 

4. Let us ask the Lord to give us a fresh and deeper understanding of the resurrection power Jesus Christ. I pray that we will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power  that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.(Ephesians 1:19-20)