Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is liberated!

That’s part of an Easter sermon given 1600 years ago by John Chrysostom, one of the greatest Christian preachers of all times. I like the contrast he makes between the two negative results of the Resurrection–the end of death and the evil ones–and the two positive results angelic rejoicing and the liberation of life. It’s a cosmic transformation. Everything changed because Christ is risen.

We most often think of the resurrection of Christ in connection with our eternal life in him. The glorious day will come when we are awakened from the sleep of death and raised to new life. But resurrected life in is not just something that happens one day in the future. We are already living the new life in Christ. As Paul wrote, “when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). Being raised with Christ, we have hope because nothing can overcome him. We have peace because fear has been defeated. We have love because hate has lost its power. We have that and so much more right now. What a wonderful life we have because Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed.

Read Romans 6:1-11, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!

Wayne