CHAPLAIN'S CORNER: HE IS RISEN

By Jerroll Martens, Chaplain

“He is not here, He is risen, as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.” Matt. 28:6

In many parts of the world, Christians greet one another Sunday morning with “He is risen” and the reply, “He is risen indeed.” We celebrate Easter Sunday, but the first day of each week speaks of the resurrection.

Christ Jesus is the center of the Christian faith and the only religion that has as its leader one who has risen from the dead. He has conquered death! Note the assurance in the text that he was absent and had risen, just as he had been teaching his disciples and others. The women who had come to anoint his body were also invited to look and see He was gone.

The gospel of salvation is clearly defined as Christ dying, being buried and rising again. The cross is empty, the tomb is empty and He is alive. It validates all the claims he made of Himself and his relationship to the Father. His death on the cross was necessary for the payment of sin, and the resurrection assures us that indeed complete payment was made. It also assures us death has been conquered and secures our resurrection as well.

Jesus, comforting Mary and Martha upon the death of their brother Lazarus, said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Our Savior is living and victorious!

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