The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:5-6 I want you to think of short phrases that are common to you that mark significant points in your life, or that are easy to remember phrases that you remember for wisdom. For example, one that I’ll never forget, “We are having a baby!” That short phrase changed my life forever! Imagine what I must have felt when my youngest daughter said that to us a few months ago!!!! Here are some others in no particular order: “ Mr. Gorbachev, move that wall!” “Houston, we have a problem” Never give up, never give up, never give up.” “You only live once!” “Dance like nobody’s watching.” “This too shall pass.” “A piece of cake.” “Easier said than done.” I could go on, but I bet this got you to thinking about phrases that you repeat often.
Well, there is no phrase that has ever been uttered that is more important for the history of the world than the one first proclaimed by angels sent from God to alert the world that Jesus had conquered death. That phrase “He is not here, he has risen.” is the phrase that changed the future of every man, woman and child who has chosen to believe in this good news! It has changed our future from one of no hope to overcome the judgement of our sin to eternal life in hell, to being forgiven by the one and only God of all saying we will live with Him in Heaven for eternity! From that time long ago to now, many people have had their lives changed simply by choosing to have faith that the messengers knew what they were talking about and the witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection were telling the truth. Nations have been built and blessed by this truth. Evil has been held in check by people who have lived under this truth following the teachings of the risen Lord. Families have flourished, Addictions overcome. People have experienced Grace upon grace all because one thing happened….Jesus rose from the dead!!!! “He is not here, he is risen! Isn’t just a phrase, It is everything! Everything that is good in this world. Our future, our past, everything is wrapped up in that wonderful phrase, He is Risen!
Dear friend, if you have never experienced the power of that phrase, if you have never heard the story, please find a bible, read the last few chapters of any gospel, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John or go to a church this Sunday and let the church tell you the story! Whatever you do, don’t ignore or skip over this phrase. Let it sink into your heart in faith. It literally means EVERYTHING!! He is not here, He is risen!!
(Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)