He is Risen—One Amazing True Love Story & How to Have New Life in Him!

The Bible Account

Yes, He has conquered death and the grave, and Jesus Christ is alive. 

That Easter Sunday, when Mary visited the tomb and was told by the angels that Jesus was no longer there, still remains the greatest news in history. Jesus Christ—the Savior of the world has gained the victory over death and today He reigns triumphantly.

The events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus’ death reflect His immeasurable love for humanity. This profound act of love is a testament of His grace and mercy towards humanity. Jesus Christ is our glorious mediator and conqueror and through His death and resurrection, we all have the opportunity to experience a new life in Him.

The Love Story

When Adam and Eve – our fore parents – were placed in the beautiful Garden of Eden, they enjoyed all the privileges afforded to them, however; they were warned not to eat the fruit of a particular tree. They disobeyed and as a result, sin entered our world. (Genesis 1-3). Even though they have fallen in sin, grace was still available, as God had a plan of restoration when He said, 

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15 NIV

This is recorded as the first prophecy of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In fulfilling this prophecy, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus lived among men where He healed many people, also preached and taught others about the love of God. When His teachings challenged the religious establishments of society, however, they plotted to kill Him.

Can you imagine?

Jesus Christ was on a mission in saving all of us, so He endured the shame, the whipping, the scorch, and pain. He was later nailed to a wooden cross where He cried out in agony, 

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

-Luke 23:34 NIV. 

If this is not love, I don’t know what love is. There’s no greater expression of love being shown than in the death of Jesus Christ. 

A New Life in Him Our Triumphant Savior

Oh yes, He died, but it didn’t end there. Jesus Christ of Nazareth rose triumphantly from the grave that early Easter Sunday morning. No, it’s not just a story. He died and rose on the third day! 

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” . 

John 20:1 NIV

The grave could not hold Him, death could not conquer, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, has won the victory over Satan. As the angel recounted the good news in the most beautiful announcement ever heard, he said,

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” . 

Matthew 28:6 NIV

Jesus’ death on the cross gives life and hope to all of us. A new life in Him, a new life in Christ—Our triumphant Savior!

Matters of the Heart: Forever Changed

Easter. It was the day resurrection power filled a rich man’s tomb with glorious radiant light, forever changing the hearts, minds, and spirits of all mankind.

To some, it was the beautiful beginning of a new covenant relationship with a risen King. To others, it was the lost opportunity to recognize the long awaited Messiah they had been seeking for centuries. To one, a blessed new hope and power, to another, a mass cover up ensued as they scrambled to gain the allegiance of the people again; wondering what truly happened with this man who is now inexplicably missing.

Both groups were there, side by side, observing this Messiah as He ministered, delivered, healed, and fed thousands. One group was hungry, amazed, intrigued, devoted, and transfixed. The other group was jealous, irritated, pious, arrogant, haughty, and outraged.

• What was the thing that caused these individuals who both witnessed the Messiah in action to be on such opposite spectrums of decision?
• How does one believe and another not believe seeing the very same awesome and spectacular events?
• What causes someone to refuse to see the good?

Jeremiah 17:9- 10 says it well:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.’” .

Jeremiah 17:9-10

This ought to be a no-brainer for those of us who know the Easter story. The Pharisees were very pious and put many religious stipulations on the people, causing many to be extremely burdened by doing so.

They wanted control of the people and didn’t practice what they preached, to be blunt. They loved the respect the people would show them and this Jesus challenged everything in them. He was doing things they couldn’t explain or do themselves. He was the real deal, and it caused fear in their hearts. They didn’t want to lose their ‘power’. So they sought to kill Him. 

The Deceit of the Heart Brings Spiritual Blindness

 Jesus challenged them on many occasions because He knew what lied in their hearts. He knew the fruit of their deeds quite well. One particular occasion was in John 9:39-41:

‘And Jesus said, “I have come to judge those who think they see and make them blind. And for those who are blind, I have come to make them see.” Some of the Pharisees were standing nearby and overheard these words. They interrupted Jesus and said, “You mean to tell us that we are blind?” Jesus told them, “If you would acknowledge your blindness, then your sin would be removed. But now that you claim to see, your sin remains with you!” 

John 9:39-41 TPT

So we see that Jesus actually came to make people blind! What? Yes, because of what was in their hearts, it caused them to be blinded. For the one who was truly blind, He came to make or help them see.

One group was prideful, one group was humble—sick, poor, desperate for healing. Let’s think about that for a minute. Matthew 6:23 introduces something interesting that causes us to be blind:

“But if your eyes are focused on money (or greed, lust, pride, hate, immorality, or any other idol) the light cannot penetrate and darkness takes its place. How profound will be the darkness within you if the light of truth cannot enter!”

Matthew 6:23 TPT

All these things are idols. When we have an idol in our heart and we are unrepentant about it—maybe unaware of it—it blinds us. This is why repentance and asking the Holy Spirit to search us continuously is so necessary as believers. We can have pride and never even know it. The enemy seeks to blind us to it. God will allow us to stay there so long as we are unrepentant, too. He gives us over to our depraved minds:

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive…”

Romans 1:28 AMP

This explains just a little bit why learned men who knew the Jewish faith and knew the Law of Moses, and the benefit of knowing God’s ways, were truly blind. It kept them from seeing their promised Messiah. And God allowed them to do so.

Thus, the moment they were all waiting centuries for just passed them by. Unfortunately, devout Jews still don’t see it. There were a few that repented and believed like Nicodemus, but by and large they were all in unbelief. Even today, they still have veiled eyes:

“Their minds were closed and hardened, for even to this day that same veil comes over their minds when they hear the words of the former covenant. The veil has not yet been lifted from them, for it is only eliminated when one is joined to the Messiah.”

2 Corinthians 3:14

The Invitation for a New Life in Him!

My friends, let’s learn from the Pharisees mistakes. While most reading this are probably believers in Christ, we too can be given over to a depraved heart and mind if we cherish sin in our hearts. God will allow us to stay that way if we choose to.

Let’s deal with our hearts so that revelation light can flood in to see the truth. Humility is what God is looking for. Invite the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and uproot anything not of God.

He will be faithful to do it if you are willing to let go of idols and anything blocking revelation light from flowing. This revelation light (God’s word) is the light from the face of Jesus! Let us not forget that God looks on the heart. Let us pray for humble hearts. 

Have you accepted your Messiah into your heart? 

Did you miss your opportunity to know the ‘One’ who bled so willingly on that cross at Easter for you? Well, unlike the Pharisees, you didn’t miss your chance. Praise God! If you would like to invite the King of Kings into your heart to forgive you of your sins and to be the Lord of your life, pray this prayer with a humble and believing heart:

“Lord, I know that I have sinned against you, and I am in need of a Savior. Forgive me of my sins against you. I believe and confess that you died for me on that cross and you were buried and then rose again on the third day. I invite You to come into my life to be the Lord of my life. Come into my heart and free me from my sin and make me new again, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” 

Be encouraged and reassured of your decision. Romans 10:9 says:

“…because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9

Welcome to the family, dear one!

A New Life in Him: The Journey Begins!

From the cross to the grave, He has risen from the dead and Jesus reigns forever. Through His death and resurrection, you can experience a new life in Him. 

“And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”  

1 Corinthians 14:14 NIV.

Jesus is a living Savior who wants to live in your heart today. Even as you reflect on Him during this Easter season, His grace is still available, as He can give you power and strength to win your battles over sin. 

Hallelujah! Jesus Christ has won the victory. He can cleanse you from all your sins and give you a new life in Him. This transformation will further give you the confidence in Him, so that, like the Apostle Paul, you can now declare 

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Galatians 2:20 NIV.

If you skipped it, go back and pray the prayer above so that you too can be ‘crucified with Christ’ and He can live in you! God communicates His plan for Salvation throughout the entirety of Scripture. Today, we call it the “Romans Road to Salvation”. You can read more about that in this article: “What is the Roman Road to Salvation?” Not sure what to do next? Check out this article: “Beginning your new life in Christ.” which is a part of the series: “Graceful Beginnings: New Believers Guide” by Bible.org. 

Here is that prayer again in case you missed it. This is the most important decision you will ever make in your lifetime, with eternal benefits you cannot obtain any other way.

“Lord, I know that I have sinned against you, and I am in need of a Savior. Forgive me of my sins against you. I believe and confess that you died for me on that cross and you were buried and then rose again on the third day. I invite You to come into my life to be the Lord of my life. Come into my heart and free me from my sin and make me new again, In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” 

If you prayed this prayer, would you reach out to us to let us know? We would be so blessed to know of your new decision for Christ. God bless you all and have a very blessed Resurrection Day! He has risen indeed! 

If you would like more info on hearts being cleansed, check out the post on 14 pitfalls to avoid for Christians to see into the Spirit.