I sat in the pew grieving over Jesus' suffering and crucifixion. Oh, what pain and torture He endured. The Holy Spirit then clearly said, “Don’t focus on His suffering for He has risen.” That moment of truth shifted my focus to His resurrection. Because He has risen, as redeemed children of God, we are partakers of the life that is ours in Christ.

   “Jesus said, ‘Because I live, you shall live also. ' At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in me and I am in you” (John 14:19-20).  

     When Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also,” it is not just a coming event but a present reality.  We all know the story of Lazarus. Martha told Jesus that if He had been there earlier, her brother Lazarus would not have died.  Jesus then said to her, Your brother shall rise again.”  Martha said that she knew he would rise again on the last day. Jesus then said to her, “I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:20-25).

       Because He lives, we live also.  From the place of His victory, we are raised by His resurrection power to abide in His love and live life from the place of His presence. It’s all about a living, dynamic, spirit-filled relationship. To know the joy of real-time fellowship with the Father and His Son (John 1:3).

          As the “I Am,” Jesus is always present. Our call is to be present with the present one.  To live in the moment with the “I Am,” who is our life, light, and the love of our life. We not only participate in His resurrection life but also in His resurrection power. To host His presence and power is the call of every believer.

    The cross is vacant, and the tomb is empty, but praise God, the throne is occupied, for He has risen!  Each morning, we are able to “rise up” in spirit to come before the throne. Here in His presence, we are filled daily with His love and life. We are born again with newness of life, but to grow in newness of life comes by renewing daily our spirit with the life that is in Christ, the “I Am.” There is no end to the life we can have as we abide in Him.  

      The celebration of Christ and His resurrection is not just a one-time event. It is the ongoing testimony of the power of His resurrection revealed by the light, love, and power of Christ that shine in our daily lives. Because of God’s grace,

     “He has raised our spirit up (through Christ’s resurrection) and has made us to sit with Him in heavenly places” (To partake of His resurrection life and power - Ephesians 2:6).  

  In His heart and love, Roy Roden