It Changes Everything

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John 19:30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”

Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last.”

Think

When we really think about Easter – Resurrection Sunday – in the day-to-day chaos and brokenness of our world, what does it really mean? Especially on those tough, ordinary days when bad news seems to pile up. But there's an undeniable truth rooted and woven throughout history: the women and men who followed Jesus experienced something extraordinary that Sunday morning and in the days that followed. It wasn't just a story to them; it was a life-altering reality that transformed them to the point of being willing to sacrifice everything – even their lives – to proclaim and live out this newfound truth.

The resurrection isn't just a distant event; it can change your life’s trajectory even now. Jesus himself, with his last words on the cross, declared "It is finished," and then he whispered, “Into your hands, I commit my spirit” as he entrusted his spirit into God's hands. He modeled the ultimate act of surrender and trust in God. Could it be that our own resurrection story begins when we surrender all to God, when we give it all to him? The resurrection proves that life's true direction and security are found in God's hands – the very hands that bear the scars of love, reminding us of his sacrifice for us.

Our resurrection story can be about committing our lives anew, placing our trust in the hands that were pierced for our sake. Just as Jesus' resurrection changed everything for his followers, this Easter has the potential to change our perspective, our priorities, as we place our trust in God's unwavering love and mercy.

Apply

Have you committed your life to God? Have you truly surrendered? Real freedom begins when you surrender it all to him. You can do that right now. If you have, tell someone today about your resurrection story!

Pray

Lord, thank you for sending your only Son to die a sinner’s death on the cross for my sin. Thank you for the power of the resurrection – that it brings dead things to life. Help me surrender my life into your hands each day. Teach me to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that true fulfillment and security are found in you alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.