resurrection sunday
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!
This simple greeting we give one another Easter morning is an echo of the scripture found in Luke 24: 6 - “He is not here, but He has risen.” That was the astounding revelation of the angel to Mary Magdalene and the women who had come to the tomb. They had come to anoint Christ’s body, only to find He wasn’t there at all. They were dismayed and shocked. I wonder, does it shock you too? Do you remember the first time you realized what the resurrection really means for you? When was the last time you truly sat in awe and wonder at the miraculous resurrection of Christ?
He is alive! The One who bled and died a criminal’s death for crimes He didn’t commit, breathes again! We are no longer bound by death because He destroyed those chains that bound all of us. Today, we celebrate death’s defeat by the only one who could have fought that battle on our behalf. Christ entered the tomb on Good Friday and took up His life again three days later. Friends, that’s more than shocking, that is indescribable!
How often, though, do we allow ourselves to grow complacent and find the resurrection not extraordinary, but ordinary? It can become a fact of our lives that is wonderful and special, sure, but not jaw-dropping. But what if we really sat with the truth of the resurrection and considered its magnitude? What if we allowed ourselves to be blown away in awe and wonder because HE IS RISEN!
This Easter, allow yourself to be shocked and overwhelmed by the reality of the resurrection. Don’t be desensitized to the reality of what it means that Christ breathed again, that He rose from the grave. The reality of the resurrection defies all human-known physical reality, and that changes literally everything. Humanity’s story hinges entirely on the fact that He arose, breaking death’s hold on all of us for all of eternity. Nothing is the same. We are prisoners no more! He is alive!
So this Easter, as we exchange our greetings, let’s do so with renewed awe as we say, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” Praise God for the wonder of the cross and for a completely empty tomb! Hallelujah! He is alive!
Are you overwhelmed by the fact of the resurrection? If it has become an ordinary fact, not an extraordinary act of God, confess and ask the Lord to help you see the magnitude of His resurrection. How will you celebrate Easter today? What traditions will you enjoy, and how can you use them to remind you or your loved ones of Christ’s triumph over death?
by the Body & Soul® Spiritual Impact Team
Body & Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.
Key words: Christian fitness, women's exercise classes, group fitness, dance aerobics classes, Christian group fitness, Christian fitness app, FitTV, Body & Soul, Body and Soul, fitness instuctor training, low impact exercise
