Does the Resurrection Define Our Lives?

It is April 12, 2020. Gathered around the breakfast table, the eight of us crowd closer and closer to the small, portable speaker. To my family, this sort of event is not abnormal. But this time is different. I tune my ears to the hope-filled melodies protruding from the speaker that fill me with a deep sort of excitement. I imagine the words come to life as the story of this hero unfolds, who, unlike any other, was victorious over death itself. I am reminded of the very hope that this Savior brought. The very hope that has kept me living, the hope that has carried me through grief and sorrow, and the hope that has given me the strength to go on no matter what the circumstance.

This has caused me to wonder: why should this glorious hope of resurrection dwell on primarily one day? Why do we ruminate on this truth on merely one calendar day, living our own life in our own way for the other 364 days of the year? Although it is all too easy to be consumed by our own circumstances and to follow the paths of so many others, we must remember that Christ’s resurrection is the basis of our hope in both life and death, and that it is the very thing that keeps us on the straight and narrow path.

One song that served as an immense comfort this Resurrection Sunday was “Is He Worthy?” by Andrew Peterson. It follows the heart-rending story told in Revelation 5. This story begins as all of heaven holds its breath, awaiting the One who holds the worthiness to peel back the seven seals and unravel the scroll. But not one was able to look into the sacred scroll. Not one was able to conquer. Not one was worthy. All creatures were doomed to die without hope.

But there was yet One who was indeed worthy. One of the elders in heaven proclaimed, “‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of Judah, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals'” (Revelation 5:5). Immediately, all of heaven stopped their weeping, for it was impossible to remain in despair any longer. “And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth’ (Revelation 5:9-10).

I can just imagine the celebration as a result of this dramatic change of events. At one moment, all seemed lost. Yet at the next, the Lamb swoops in, saving for Himself a people. His people.

Would such a change cause your heart to rejoice with all of heaven? Would it cause you to shape your life around this hero, who, risking all, died and rose so you might live? I tend to think that we too often neglect our great Savior. Because of the Lamb’s conquering power over death, our chains have now shattered on the floor, leaving us with our entire lives to live that are now free from our once dark ways. Will we seize this opportunity, or will we waste it?

I plead with you to not only worship your Lord and Savior on Easter but on every day that you are blessed with. True change cannot be hidden. If we truly love our great God, we will not help but to overflow with gratitude that will touch every aspect of our lives. Will we choose to live with this gratitude and resurrection hope?

During these last few weeks, it has been so difficult to face the monotony of life with this resurrection hope. Although I know the price that was paid for my behalf, I am always so tempted to remain in my own selfishness. I am tempted to complain instead of realizing that I will never be fully satisfied until I find my ultimate hope in Christ alone.

Hope is not based on circumstances, for circumstances always change. Instead, hope lies in God who never changes. Because of the resurrection, we can have this hope that whether in life or in death, we are the Lord’s, and that we will one day see Him face to face.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). 

I want to conclude with these words from “Is He Worthy?” I believe they capture the essence of Christ’s work on the cross for us and the hope that we now have in Him. If you want to actually listen to this beautiful and powerful song, click here.

Verse 1

Do you feel the world is broken? We do

Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do 

But do you know that all the dark won’t stop  

The light from getting through? We do 

Do you wish that you could see it all made new?  We do

Verse 2

Is all creation groaning? It is 

Is a new creation coming? It is 

Is the glory of the Lord to be  

The light within our midst? It is 

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? It is

Chorus

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? 

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? 

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave 

He is David’s root and the Lamb who died  

To ransom the slave 

Is He worthy? Is He worthy? 

Of all blessing and honor and glory? 

Is He worthy of this? He is

Verse 3 

Does the Father truly love us? He does 

Does the Spirit move among us? He does 

And does Jesus our Messiah  Hold forever those He loves? He does 

Does our God intend to dwell again with us? He does

Chorus 2 

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole? 

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll? 

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave 

He is David’s root and the Lamb who died  

To ransom the slave  

From ev’ry people and tribe 

Ev’ry nation and tongue 

He has made us a kingdom  

And priests to God to reign with the Son 

Is He worthy? Is He worthy? 

Of all blessing and honor and glory? 

Is He worthy of this?  He is, He is