Matthew 28:6 He is not here—He is risen, just as He said he would. Come and look at the place where He was lying.    

    I have always enjoyed playing chess. I cannot claim to be very good, just better than I used to be! Chess is a very thoughtful game. The only element of luck might be that your opponent isn’t very good! When that isn’t the case a situation can arise where the skilled opponent can see that checkmate is inevitable. They might even announce that it’s coming. In very high-level games the player on the losing side will generally tip over their king, acknowledging the loss. But even when the outcome is sure, the eventual loser doesn’t have to quit playing. They will not win, but they can continue moving pieces around the board until the certain conclusion. 

    Jesus had told His disciples what was coming. He was going to Jerusalem to be handed over to evil men who would kill Him. Then, after three days, He would rise again. It really was a lot to hope for! When those women got to the tomb that Sunday morning, they fully expected to see a grave with a body. But they were surprised! He wasn’t there. He was risen, just as He said He would! It was the biggest ‘I told you so!’ In history!

    When Jesus rose from the dead, He ushered in a new age! Everything changed! Death was defeated! Satan had lost! Jesus had gained the ultimate victory on our behalf and we can share in His victory!

    “But wait,” you say. “The world doesn’t seem to be getting better. In fact, a case could easily be made that things are getting worse! If Jesus has won, shouldn’t things be better?”     

    Those are excellent points. But when Jesus rose from the dead, it was as though He announced, “Checkmate in 10 moves.” He has won. The game is over. The outcome is assured. But satan is too stubborn to just tip his king and concede the game. He is still moving pieces around. Though that’s the case, we know he is a defeated foe. Jesus is victorious.

    Because He did rise from the dead, I can live in assurance that He will be with me as I go through life. Because He did rise from the dead, I can live in assurance that He will hear me when I pray. Because He did rise from the dead, I can live in assurance that when I confess my sins to Him, He is just and will forgive me of my sins.

    Bill Gaither once wrote,

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!                                                                                                                                                  Because He lives all fear is gone!                                                                                                                                                          Because I know He holds the future                                                                                                                                                         And life is worth the living just because He lives!

God Bless

Pastor Russ