Prayer to prepare your heart for Easter
Author: Lynette Kittle
Bible reading:
“But Christ is indeed raised from the dead, and will be the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” – 1 Corinthians 15:20
Every Easter Sunday, we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead to life. We recognize that the Lord’s resurrection is not only a miracle for Him, but also for us. As the Lord rose from the grave, we too will rise.
But too often we miss the hope that the Lord’s Resurrection and the celebration of Easter bring into our lives. We get so focused on Jesus rising from the dead that we forget what it means to us and rejoice in our eternal future.
Jesus is the first to be raised from the grave, freed from sin and death to live forever, and the first to be raised in a glorified body in history.
As the Apostle Paul explained, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables us to bring all things under His control transforms our lowly bodies into the likeness of the glorious body of God” (Philippians 3:20-21).
In Biblical times, believers would set aside the first fruits of their harvest as an offering to God. This act symbolized and sanctified the entire coming harvest.
The Bible says that others were raised from the dead before Jesus, but Colossians 1:18 says that Jesus was the beginning, the firstborn from the dead. Those who were raised before Jesus eventually died again, but Jesus will live forever and never die again.
“And Jesus is the head of the body, the church, the beginning from the dead, the firstborn, that in all things he may have primacy.”
Paul explains in Romans 6:9, “We know that since Christ has been raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death can no longer have dominion over him.”
jesus is the promise
Since Jesus is now living in a glorified body, it is also a promise of our own glorified bodies to come.
Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus comes the promise of a harvest of living souls who will be raised from death to life. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, the Son of God who rose victorious from the grave, defeated death, conquered its power, and conquered forever.
The Apostle John wrote, “And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and ruler of the kings of the earth, who loved us and freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5).
jesus conquered death
Matthew 27:50-53 records Jesus’ complete victory over death and the amazing events that occurred during his crucifixion and resurrection.
“And when Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks were split, and the tombs were split. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. After Jesus’ resurrection, they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared before many people.”
They will physically die again, but they will live forever. 1 Corinthians 15:54 explains: “When incorruptibility is put on the corruptible, and immortality is put on the mortal, then the words that are written will be fulfilled: ‘Death was swallowed up in victory.’”
He said this himself in John 11:25. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even though he dies, yet shall he live.”
Let’s pray:
Dear father,
Prepare our hearts for Easter and prepare to celebrate the risen Jesus who came out of the grave to be glorified, to have conquered sin and death, to live forever and to give us the promise of eternal life with you.
Thank you that because Jesus conquered death, we too will be resurrected to live with you forever.
Lord, fill our hearts with joy as we worship your unfailing love and the way you have redeemed us and given us eternal life through Jesus.
Encourage us to share this good news with those who don’t know you. Then they too will never die but will live in Christ.
In the name of Jesus, amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: Getty Images/kevron2001
Vivian Bricker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and then a Master of Arts with an emphasis in Theology. She loves theology, ministry, and all things helping others learn about Jesus. Check out more of her content on Cultivate.
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