Every Christmas we gather in amazement that Jesus would leave the splendor of heaven and come to earth, become human, and experience life on earth. A few months later, we gather on Good Friday in humble amazement that Jesus would die on the cross for our sins.

Then we come to Easter Sunday, to the climax, to the highest point. And now we celebrate! Not just that Jesus came to earth. Not merely that He died. But that He rose from the dead!!!

If Jesus had only come to earth, He would merely have been a visitor. God on a holiday. If He had only died, He would merely have been a religious teacher. But He didn’t just come to earth, and He didn’t just die on a cross. He rose from the dead!

We’ve heard the story many times. I hope we never tire of hearing the words – He Is Risen! I hope we never cease to be amazed at the incredible fact that death couldn’t hold the Lord of Life. And, most of all, I hope we never miss this simple fact – Jesus is alive today.

What does it mean for you and I that Jesus is Alive? Let me suggest three things  I see in the resurrection

1. There is Love in the Resurrection

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)

We see love in a painful way on the cross. We see the extent of God’s love for us as we reflect on Jesus’ death. But it doesn’t end there! The love of God did not only send Jesus to the cross, it also raised Him back to life!

Love hates death. Love struggles against death and in favor of life. And in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, love overcomes death.

That is what the resurrection calls us to – to receive God’s love and love Him back. If you are searching, striving, dying to be loved – come to the empty tomb. Go first to the cross, of course, and see the love and forgiveness on the face of Jesus. But don’t stay there- come and meet the resurrected Jesus, the God who is risen and is alive today. And you will discover love beyond what you could imagine.

2. There is Life in the Resurrection

“… like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

We are united with Jesus in His resurrection life. In fact that is exactly what happens at the moment we respond in faith to God. That is what God freely offers to us – new life. He offers the chance for us to participate with Jesus in the life that comes through resurrection.

Jesus is alive today. And He brings with Him the gift of life, His hand outstretched at this very moment offering it to you. He won’t force it on you, stuff it down your throat – but He will freely offer it. Life eternal.

3. There is Hope in the Resurrection

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

We have hope because Jesus rose from the dead. One of the recent hymns of the faith says, ‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, I can face uncertain days because He lives.¨

The resurrection gives us hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for eternity. Hope that things can change. Hope that even if they don’t change, and the worst happens and death comes, that is not the end! There is more life after that, better life after that – life without sickness or pain or tears.

Eight months after my mom’s death, I received a letter in the mail – from her. I thought it was a joke. But when I opened the envelope, there indeed was a personal note in her handwriting & a check made out to me. Upon further investigation, I discovered the letter had been mailed two years before. However, it was stuck in the mail system and wasn’t delivered until after she died. Because of her sudden death, I didn’t get to properly tell my mom how much she meant to me and how much I loved her. But in a strange way, she told me. Her closing words in the letter were “Love, Mother.” It was also a reminder, that my mom’s not really dead. Because she trusted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, she has eternal life. She is alive. So is everyone who has died in Jesus.

Today my prayer is that you would know the Risen Lord Jesus. That you would know the love, the life, and the hope of the Resurrection. That is the simple message of our faith – Jesus is Alive!