With Easter 2021 just one day away, this question is asked by millions each year. “Why did Jesus rise from the dead?”
There is one verse, which I believe says it best…
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:11
Let’s break down what this verse means…
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead
The Spirit of him is referring to God himself. John 4:24 says that, “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth”. So this verse is stating the fact that God is the one who raised Jesus back to life. Jesus Christ was crucified and buried in a tomb. On the third day, God’s Spirit rose Jesus back to life.
Is living in you
This part of the verse is stating the fact that the same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead, lives in a born again Christian. This is the mystery that Paul wrote about in Colossians 1:27, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” John 14:16-17 says…”And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counselor to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you“.
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit
The Apostle Paul is writing to the Romans, who were physically alive in their mortal bodies. If you are reading this, your are alive in your mortal body. The life Paul is referring the Holy Spirit, living in a believer.
How does the Spirit of God gives us life? Through belief and faith in Jesus. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). What are we saved from? We are saved from our condition at birth of spiritual death.
Who lives in you
When you put your faith in Jesus and are born again, you cross over from spiritual death to spiritual life. That is exactly what John 5:24 says…”Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
What else happens? The Spirit of God, comes to live inside you. Once Jesus comes to live inside you, he promises to “never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). You are marked by Him and then sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).
Jesus came to give us life (John 10:10). That life is spiritual life.
If you are not sure you are born again, you can nail it down right now by this simple prayer:
Jesus, I need you.
Thank you for taking away my sins once and for all.
I now ask you to give me your Spirit and give me eternal life.
Amen.
I would love to year your comments.
