Dear Cornerstone Family,
Holy week is the crescendo of the Christian calendar, because the crucifixion and resurrection are the center of the Christian faith. Without the shedding of blood, as Paul reminds us, “there is no forgiveness of sins” (Hebrews 9:22), and if Christ has never been raised from the dead, then our “faith is futile and we’re still in our sins...and we of all people are most to be pitied.” (I Corinthians 15:17, 19)
However, because Jesus died for us, and rose again from the grave, we are the most blessed! For Jesus disarmed the rulers and authorities (Colossians 2:15) and put to death the last enemy, death (1 Corinthians 15:54). He became the first fruits from the dead (I Corinthians 15:20), and by that same power—Christ’s resurrection power—the grave will not hold us either. Listen and believe.
• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
• “We will not all die, but we will all be changed...in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Corinthians15:51-52
Herein is hope, friends. Hope for the world. Hope for eternity. Hope for us...Hope for you.
The quality of our celebration today should match the importance of what we are celebrating—the most important reality of life and eternity, the death and resurrection of Christ. There is simply no risk of overdoing the celebration. If there was ever a time for worshipful abandon, for giving yourself to wonder, love, and praise, that time is now. Join with the angels in heaven, and the saints from all the ages, and worship the risen Christ in Spirit and in truth. The tomb is empty, and the gospel is true. Let the celebration begin!
“Christianity is in its very essence a resurrection religion.”—John Stott
“The Christian story is precisely the story of one grand miracle, the Christian assertion being that what is beyond all space and time, what is uncreated, eternal, came into nature, in human nature descended into His own universe and rose again, bringing nature up with Him. It is precisely one great miracle.”—C. S. Lewis
“The whole gospel is encapsulated in the proclamation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”—George Eldon Ladd
“The resurrection of Christ is the seal of the great work that He came on earth to do. It was the crowning proof that the ransom He paid for sinners was accepted, the atonement for sin accomplished, the head of him who had the power of death bruised, and the victory won.”—J. C. Ryle
“Grant me more and more of the resurrection life: may it rule me,
may I walk in its power,
and be strengthened through its influence.”
—The Valley of Vision
Your servant,
