No one has ever gone into heaven
except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness,
so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
JOHN 3:13-15

Each year, Easter seems to come and go, and then life goes back to normal. Well, not this year. For the next four weeks at Grace, we will reflect on the implications of Christ’s being raised from the dead, and ponder more deeply what difference the empty tomb makes in our lives today and for eternity.

We know that Easter changed everything. How so? John Piper listed just a few of the ways. Consider the following:

What if it’s true that Christ rose from the dead; that he will never die again and death has no dominion over him so that he is the Lord of the universe; that by faith we are united to him in his death and rise with him to live for ever?

If it’s true that the power of death is broken then…..

…the fear of death is severed and we can be freed.

…you don’t need to get to the top in order to get to be a success.  

…you don’t need to run away from trouble and live in fear that he who has the most toys wins.

…you can rejoice in persecution for righteousness sake for great is your reward in heaven.

…every loss you endured for the kingdom will be made up to you a thousand-fold.

…there is no ultimate risk in the cause of truth and love; nothing can defeat you.

…the decay of your body is prelude to glory.

…you will be made completely whole with no impurity and no struggle with lust or greed or covetousness or fear or inferiority or cowardice or painful memories or paralyzing shame.

…there will be no mourning or crying or tears or pain for the former things will pass away.

…swords will be turned into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks and war will be no more.

…every injustice will be rectified and every evil will be recompensed and every wrong made right.

…and those who are in Christ will rise with him never to die again, and God will be our God and we will be his people, and the glory of the Lord will be our light and our joy for ever.

This coming week, Erik Thoennes will help us think on the need to be born again, and just how the resurrection opened up eternal life to all who will believe. Perhaps you know of someone who has not yet entered into the life Jesus promises. Would you pray about inviting them, so that they can also like you enter into the joy of eternal life?