I love REZ-day, the account of the bodily Resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:19-31. Man, I love this Lord of glory!
“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” ~ John Stott
It was because of our own sins that Jesus went to the Cross. But now the cradle, the cross, and the grave of Christ are all empty. Yay God!
The crown (John 1–16). Jesus and Pilate had been talking about a kingdom, so it was only right that the King have a crown. It was meant for mockery, but it preached a message, for Jesus was wearing the consequences of Adam’s sins (Gen. 3:17–19). But a crown is a sign of victory. He has overcome!
The cross (17–27). Jesus started out bearing His own cross, but then Simon was drafted to carry it for Him (Mark 15:21). We are not told why, although tradition says that Jesus fell and could not carry it. Considering all He had been through, that is not difficult to believe. Criminals carried the cross as a sign of guilt, and Jesus was not guilty!
The conquest (28–42). “It is finished!” was the cry of a conqueror. Jesus accomplished what all of the old covenant sacrifices could not do (Heb. 10:1–18). The prophecies and types were fulfilled and the sacrifice for sins made once and for all forever. It was not a martyr that Joseph and Nicodemus put into the tomb; it was a victor.
Easter is so personal. Notice the angel said to go tell the disciples and Peter. Jesus reached out to Peter individually. By the way, you can insert your name there. Go tell the disciples and _______. You know it right. Yes it was for Peter too. And Easter is also for you personally.Easter is so practical. Why do you think Peter was singled out? Because Peter needed a special word of encouragement. Maybe you need that today as well.Easter is so powerful. The day and date ain’t powerful but Jesus is. He not only forgave Peter, but He recommissioned him for service again. And God will do the same for you. He will forgive you and then you can start this new relationship with Him again.
Jesus the Stranger (John 21:1–4). Don't let him stay that way for you. When Peter returned to the old life, he took six other men with him. Their work was in vain (15:5) because the Lord was not with them. How kind He is to come to us when we have disobeyed Him and have failed in our work!Jesus the Master (5–8). When Jesus takes charge, failure is turned into success; and the difference was only the width of the ship! You never know how close you are to victory, so admit your failure and obey what He tells you to do. He never fails.Jesus the Host (9–14). It took six men to drag the net (v. 8), but Peter did it alone when Jesus gave the orders (v. 11). We should always remember that “God’s commandment is God’s enablement.” Did the fire of coals remind Peter of his denials (18:18ff.)? Did the miraculous catch of fish remind him of his call to service (Luke 5:1–11)? How kind of Jesus to feed Peter before dealing with him about his sins!Jesus the Shepherd (15–17). The most important thing in ministry is loving Christ, for all ministry flows from that. Peter the fisherman was also to be a shepherd and care for the lambs and sheep.Jesus the Lord (18–25). By saying, “Follow Me,” Jesus reinstated Peter as an apostle. But Peter turned around and took his eyes off the Lord (Matt. 14:30), and Jesus had to rebuke him. The next time you are tempted to meddle in somebody else’s ministry, ponder Christ’s words: “What is that to you? You follow Me!” (v. 22).
Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important?
How will our resurrection body be different from our current body?
Very dark at week's end, and it grew so quiet—but Sunday speaks!
Human love runs dry; history proves it—wars rage, homes fracture, hearts grow cold. What we lack is what God is: agape—self-giving, relentless, holy love. That is why the Cross stands at the center of everything.
“Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us, we have to see it as something done by us.” — John Stott
It was our sin that nailed Him up there—and yet it was His love that held Him there.
The Cry That Cleared the Ledger
When Jesus said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), He used a word common in the marketplace—paid in full.
No balance remains. No debt lingers. No record stands.
“Hallelujah! What a Savior!”
The cross is where perfect justice and perfect love embraced—justice satisfied, mercy unleashed (Romans 3:26). What centuries of sacrifices could only foreshadow, Christ fulfilled once for all (Hebrews 10:1–18). This was no martyr’s whisper—it was a conqueror’s shout.
For You. Again - The Crown (of Thorns), the Cross, the Conquest, Then a Different Crown
- The Crown of thorns (John 19:1–16): Meant to mock, yet it proclaimed truth. He wore the curse of Adam (Genesis 3), but the crown also foretold victory.
- The Cross of wood (John 19:17–27): Carried as a sign of guilt—yet He was guiltless, bearing ours instead (2 Corinthians 5:21).
- The Conquest of victory (John 19:28–42): “It is finished!”—sin defeated, redemption secured, eternity opened.
The cradle is empty. The cross is empty. The tomb is empty.
Christ is risen—and reigning.
Resurrection - It's Not a Mere Holiday Among Others—It's About A Person
REZ-day isn’t about a certain date in history. Yep, it really happened, and there were many eyewitnesses. It’s about a living Savior (Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20).
As the old hymn says:
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow…”
This is not sentimental hope—it is historical, bodily resurrection. And it changes everything.
Peter failed loudly—denied Christ three times. Yet the risen Jesus sought him personally:
“Go, tell the disciples—and Peter…” (Mark 16:7)
That one name changes everything.
Easter is:
- Personal — God calls you by name.
- Practical — He meets you at your lowest point.
- Powerful — He forgives and recommissions.
At the fire of coals (John 21), where failure once burned, grace now restored. Three denials met by three affirmations:
“Do you love Me? … Feed My sheep.”
Failure is not final when Jesus is present.
When Jesus Steps In
- As Stranger, He finds us in our wandering.
- As Master, He turns empty nets into overflow (John 21:6).
- As Host, He feeds us before He corrects us.
- As Shepherd, He calls us to love Him first.
- As Lord, He simply says: “Come".. "Follow Me.”
And that’s enough.
The Hope the World Can’t Manufacture
George Barna and his group consistently show many professing Christians wrestle with doubt, purpose, and identity. The issue isn’t information—it’s transformation.
The resurrection answers the deepest human ache:
You are not abandoned. You are not finished. You are not beyond redemption.
“Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection.” — Watchman Nee
The Better Chapter Begins Today
God is the Author of life, who rewrites ruined and dead stories. He takes ashes and makes something alive again (Isaiah 61:3). He gives beautify for ashes even.
You don’t clean yourself up first, Sport—you come and let Him do that.
You don’t earn it—you receive it as a free gift.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”
Would you pray something like: “Man Lord, I’ve sinned and hurt You, but I am sorry for that. Thank You for dying for me on that lonely cross. Thank You for rising again. I do want to know You—personally, intimately. Please forgive me cuz I do repent in the best way I know how. In fact, right now I come.. by faith, I open the door of my heart to you. Please come in to rule without rival as Lord! Please use me for Your glory.”
"God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, 'I love you." ~ Billy Graham
Friday was bad, but good for us! Sunday spoke!
Christ died for you!
Christ was put in a hole in the ground.. for you.
Christ rose for you.
Christ calls you—by name.
Let's all celebrate Easter Sunday!
Come as you are. And He is still makin' good messages out of bad messes.
