Doesn’t it feel like just yesterday we were preparing for the Advent of Christ? The Christian calendar is interesting in that we celebrate the birth and death of Jesus within a few months of each other. It’s good because it keeps the life, purpose, and redemptive death of Jesus at the forefront of our minds as we enter a new year.
Our church is embarking on a new Holy Week service this year by reenacting the Passover Seder. A few of us have been meeting to prepare for this event. In doing so, I’ve learned so much about the symbolism of each element of the seder and why Jewish people go through this ritual to recount the journey from slavery to freedom when God rescued them from Egypt.
Whether Christian or Jewish, both endeavor to remember yearly what God has done for them by placing it at the forefront of their minds through rituals or worship services.
For Believers, our main focus at Easter is the death and resurrection of Jesus, as it should be—his death atoning for our sins and His resurrection giving us new life in Heaven with Jesus. But three additional blessings of the Resurrection can be overlooked and forgotten, and we should remember and cherish them not only at Easter but throughout the year.
Let’s remind ourselves about the 3 overlooked blessings of the resurrection most Christians forget…
The Gift of the Indwelling Spirit
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17
When we first meet “the one”, everything they say and do gets replayed over in our minds when we aren’t with them. Even if we are having a bad day, we go back and remember something they said or did that made us feel so special, and suddenly the bad day doesn’t affect us. All that matters is that someone loves us and we love them.
Before Jesus died, He told the disciples that He would be sending a Helper who would dwell within them. However, the only way the Holy Spirit could come was through His death and resurrection. The disciples, I’m sure, were disconcerted, not understanding
fully what this meant. Jesus comforted them by saying, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:25-27
All of these words about the Holy Spirit were said by the One who loved them eternally. The disciples held on to His promise and replayed it over in their minds, I’m sure.
As modern-day Believers, we may approach the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives from the standpoint of recognizing it, whether through conviction of sin, special insight when reading the Bible, or a supernatural sense of calm. But do we remember what a blessing it is to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit as one cherishes a new love? Is this at the forefront of our minds on Easter or any day? Do we seek the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance with every decision? Do we recognize and cherish that God is IN us?
This Easter, during your time of Worship and celebration, remember fondly, as you did with a new love, the fact that Jesus gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit, and He lives inside of you.
The Comfort of Christ’s Ongoing Intercession
“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
Before politics became so divisive and contentious, it was understood that there were checks and balances throughout the election process, ensuring that the people’s favorite would win. Going with that expectation and understanding, when we vote for someone, we choose the person who aligns most with our beliefs and desires. If we
have the privilege of our candidate being placed in an office, it’s a comfort to know that this person has their constituents' values in mind when making laws and/or decisions, especially ones that could impact us.
In the political realm, we are talking, in a broad sense, about the ultimate effects on us by a representative, but in the Spiritual Kingdom, we are center stage. It is OUR thoughts and actions that are being represented. How amazing it is that when Jesus died, He was then seated at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes for US! This is His current ministry to His children.
Whether we have tripped up on our own OR Satan is pointing his ugly accusatory finger at us, dripping with lies, every sin, every accusation, Jesus continually advocates for us with the Father. He intercedes in favor of us. The wounds on His hands and feet show the Father that the Son has died on our behalf. He has covered our sins with the blood of the cross.
The resurrection didn’t just prove that Jesus is alive; it means He is actively representing Believers before the Father right now. His work didn’t end on the cross. It continues in Heaven. What an amazing blessing to remember this Easter and to be grateful for every day.
The Privilege of Drawing Near to God
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” Hebrews 10:19-22
Years ago, I worked in our local school department's Superintendent’s office. When I was hired, the Superintendent was very nice, BUT they definitely had specific boundaries about their time and space. I used to joke to myself that whenever I needed to speak to them, I felt like I had to bow down and say, “Permission to enter your majesty,” because there were a few times when I definitely got the impression it was not a welcome interruption. The next superintendent who came on during my time working there was extremely welcoming with an open-door policy. It was so nice to know that if something came up, I didn’t have to weigh the pros and cons of interrupting and could enter freely, knowing I'd be greeted with a smile and “how can I help?”
Because Jesus' death tore the veil blocking us from God, we are now allowed to approach the Throneroom of Grace freely without fear. We can come to Jesus with ANYTHING at ANYTIME. We are not only greeted with a smile, but with eternal love. Not only that, but all Jesus wants to do is help us. He has proven that since the beginning of time!
There is no prayer too small or insignificant. There is no sin too great. There is no gap that can’t be closed. ANY reason you come up with for feeling that you can’t approach Jesus is just a lie concocted by Satan. Jesus' death made a way for us to come to Him.
As a child would approach their father, without fear or trepidation, but knowing He can fix anything.
This Easter, remember that Jesus’ death removed the barrier between God and man. Because Jesus rose again, you can approach Him with confidence anytime, anywhere. What a blessing to be reminded that Easter commemorates our complete and total access to our loving God, which is available every minute of every day.
Dear Heavenly Father, bring to our remembrance these three overlooked blessings of your Son’s death and resurrection, and may we live in those blessings every day of the year.
Which one do you tend to overlook the most in your day-to-day?
How can you change that?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Smileus
