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He is Risen
by Dwayne Harris "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:18 The crowd witnessing the crucifixion began to disperse unknowingly making way for the gathering hordes of demons and fallen angels. They had come to revel in the death of Jesus. These rebellious spirits no longer reflected the beauty and brightness of God's presence. Instead, they were now grotesquely disfigured; a visual demonstration of their eternal punishment and separation from God. The stench and presence of hell filled the atmosphere. The heavens, which just moments before were filled with on-looking angels, quickly emptied as God withdrew from the spectacle. He was unable to look upon his son; who now bore the sin of the world. Jesus cried out in agony as his heavenly father departed his demonic tormentors blasphemed and taunted him. The air was thick in anticipation. The demons drew eerily silent as the moment arrived. Jesus lifted his head and drew in his last breath exhaling, he cried; "It is finished." The demon's faces filled with satisfaction. They erupted in celebration; "He's dead!" They screamed. The demonic roar of victory quieted as quickly as it had begun. Something was rapidly changing in the atmosphere they could feel it. It was the coming presence of God. It was here even in the midst of death. "Wait!!" They screamed. "He's dead!" "He's defeated!" Their hatred had blinded their understanding. Instead of preventing God's plan; the death of God's son had fulfilled it. As his life's blood poured down Calvary's cross, sin and death became defeated. Jesus was in fact, the Lamb of God the sacrifice for all. While his humanity hung lifeless upon the cross, his divine nature burst forth with explosive power. The heavens shook and the earth trembled. The veil in the temple, which symbolized man's separation from God, was torn apart. The demons fled as the righteousness of God shone forth causing them great pain and torment. Hell's gates broke from their foundation as Christ descended into its pits. Satan's power was crushed and his legal authority removed. He cowered in fear as Jesus snatched the keys to death, hell, and the grave. Death would no longer hold its power. Jesus had purchased redemption and eternal life for all who would call upon his name. Victorious, Jesus returned to the tomb where they had laid his body. He had come to reclaim the flesh which he had redeemed from sin. His body which had been broken and bruised for his beloved creation would live again eternally. After the third day, Mary had come to the tomb. Drawing near, she discovered the massive stone guarding the entrance had been rolled away. An angel of the Lord appeared, declaring, "He is not here; for He is risen." Mary quickly ran inside the dark opening; her heart began pounding in her chest as she looked to where he had been laid. Although the grave-clothes were still present, his body was gone. She softly whispered, "He's alive?" Emotions of hope and joy flooded her mind as she quickly ran back into the daylight. "He's alive." She declared. Her voice now grew stronger it filled with laughter. She screamed at the top of her voice; "Jesus! He's Alive!" Dwayne Harris is the founder of Fresh Outpouring Ministries. He is an emerging voice in the cause of evangelism and has been featured on Christian talk-radio, Christian television, and is a published devotional writer. For more info. visit www.freshoupouring.com. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |