“He is risen!”
How’s that for a cliche Easter phrase?
I’m sure that the term “cliche” hits a nerve. But by definition, cliche means –
2. Something that has become overly familiar or commonplace
I have no doubt that most of us mean it when we say or write or sing the phrase. But do we really remember what it means?
Do we consider the POWER it took for that to happen?
Do we recognize the MIRACLE that occurred in that tomb?
Do we recall the SACRIFICE that was made prior to His rising? The PAIN and SIN and DEATH that He experienced?
Do we remember that ALL of those things were imposed for US?
We were given FORGIVENESS!
We experienced HEALING!
We had our first taste of TRUE LIFE!
I sometimes envy those who have just recently started a relationship with Jesus. Everything is new and fresh. Nothing is taken for granted. They still view miracles as amazing and Jesus’ love as indescribable. Phrases like “He is risen!” still ring loud and clear in their ears. They live on each word of the truth of that phrase. It defines their new perspective on life and its meaning.
But over time, we hear such phrases so many times that they tend to lose impact on our lives. Like a memorized song that you’ve known since childhood, the words come easy, but the meaning gets lost. The words are no less true, but we forget the power behind them.
“He is risen!” The phrase should define us. It should determine how we live our lives and how we love others. It should change everything about our perspective on every day life. Because it IS the answer to every question we ask about life. It’s the cornerstone for how we view every situation that we face. And ONE DAY it will be the reason for everything that we will have the privilege of experiencing in eternity.
So, tomorrow, no EVERY DAY, let’s shout it out, sing it out, live it out: “HE IS RISEN!” It’s a little phrase, but there’s nothing small about it…
Matthew 20:18-19 – “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.”
Matthew 28:6 – He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.
