Why it matters

“He is risen.”
“He is risen, indeed.”
So goes the exchange every Easter.

But, 𝐰𝐡𝐲 does it matter that Jesus is risen?

Being neither a theologian nor an apologist, I will simply tell you why it matters to 𝐦𝐞.

Every other god or leader to whom people have historically looked for life and meaning, is now dust, their remains, somewhere on this planet, returning from whence they came.

But, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨 with the One to whom I look.
I serve, I love, I trust, I worship…a 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧 Savior.

All the circumstances, events, matters, and happenings of my life, from the momentous to the mundane, depend upon a Savior who 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, a Savior who tasted death vicariously for me, but then conquered it decisively.

The feet that walked on water took the nails. The hands that cup my face bear the scars. These relics of redemption and souvenirs of salvation demonstrate with their silent, sacred witness, just 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐚𝐫 Love was willing to go to see us rescued.

Nothing was 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 the same again. Ancient prophecies were fulfilled. The curse of death was neutralized. The tyranny of sin was subdued, and access to God was granted beyond a veil that was literally, and symbolically, torn in two.

No longer would He be a God of distance, but One whose scepter remains forever extended. Invited to approach, fear would now be replaced with boldness. Reticence would forever be mitigated by an invitation soaked in the blood-stained assurance of a Great High Priest who knows exactly how we feel.

So, we leave the outer courts in search of 𝐇𝐢𝐦—only Him. We don’t dawdle, we don’t waver, we don’t doubt, because if the resurrection proclaims anything at all, it is that our trust in Him was never misplaced.

He, “the resurrection and the life,” is who He said He was all along—the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Every “I am” statement He made was proven true with His resurrection. In this, our hope was made manifest and our redemption secured.

And He, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲 who made a way, comes to us all, offering life where there has been death, joy where there has been sorrow, and purpose where there has been pain. Only a risen Savior can do that. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 is why it matters.

“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
~ 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥 𝐈𝐈

He is risen. 𝐇𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐧, 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐝.