SIMPLE: Returning to the Essence of Easterਨਮੂਨਾ

The Cross: Christ's Authority Over Death

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. As the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Then they remembered His words. (Luke 24:2–8)

Some people watched, others commented, some simply waited. Others were curious, and some went with determination on the third day to see the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed. To their astonishment, everything had changed. The tomb was empty. He who was dead was now alive. "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen…" What incredible news! What great anticipation! "Remember what He told you… that the Son of Man must be delivered over to sinners, be crucified, and rise again on the third day." Then they remembered His words… These women celebrated the great news. Hope was strengthened in their hearts. Joy flooded their faces as they recalled the words of the Master and Lord of their lives.

Jesus defeated death on the cross of Calvary. It was a perfect, true, and total defeat of death—once and for all. He offered His life as a voluntary sacrifice, paying the price for each of our sins, for in Him there was no sin. He is the Lamb without blemish or defect. He bore our iniquity and gave His life to rescue us from eternal death, because death had no power over Him. That is why He rose on the third day, changing the history of humanity and the story of each of our lives. We were dead in our sins, living far from God’s holiness, distant from His presence. Yet in the heart of our Father was this sovereign redemptive plan: Jesus is the open door to receive the gift of eternal life. He is the manifestation of His unfathomable grace that allows us to experience His transforming power and unending love.

If we believe in Him, we can live in freedom, enjoying all that the Lord gives us. We have the opportunity to be grateful, to sit at the table that our God has prepared. A table of delightful feasts, a table prepared for His children—for those who are part of His multiethnic family. We have the privilege of knowing this "good news," and we have the great challenge of sharing it with all who do not yet know it.

Written by Rayén Gutiérrez (M.Div. Class of 2023)