This, if any preacher would be bold enough to preach, could be the shortest, most concise, and most relevant sermon ever written.   What more can you say?

Many people suffered through trials with the Sanhedrin and then the Roman Government and were punished.  Many people suffered crucifixion; the end of crucifixion is death.  You are assured 100% of death if you are a candidate of the punishment of the cross.

Ah, but the difference with Jesus of Nazareth is that He didn’t stay dead.  His heavenly Father raised Him from the dead on the third day.  This is what we teach – this is what we believe!

And why is this significant?  Why is it important?

Because – with His resurrection – we are given the assurance of life after death, that death has been finally defeated by the King of all Glory!  He has won that victory for us all – undeservedly so – but nonetheless, He did it for us.

Why would He do such a thing for us/me?

The answer here is simple as well:  because He loves you unconditionally!

In Matthew, Jesus wasn’t where His friends thought He should be; but what’s important is that He was absent from the tomb but present in the hearts and minds of all of God’s children.  In all His post resurrection appearances, he makes it clear that everlasting life has just begun.  And, because of His love for us, we are invited to be a part of it all!

Nope, you probably won’t hear me preach the one-sentence sermon written above.  However, we do still benefit from the gifts of His love, passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.  For it is a simple truth:

Have faith – He is risen; He is risen indeed!

God loves you and so do I!

Pastor Jim