Ephesians 2:4 – 6 
• ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together’

• DAILY READING – 2 Corinthians 13; 1 Chronicles 3-4; Zephaniah 1

• It is archaeologically impossible to know the exact burial site of Jesus.  However today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has become an acceptable site of pilgrimage for many Christians, as the burial place of Jesus. 

This tomb where Jesus’s body is believed to have been laid, is situated inside the Edicule in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. 

This tomb has been sealed in marble since the 1500s in order to prevent visitors from stealing pieces of the original rock as souvenirs.

It was Roman emperor Constantine the Great who sealed it. The emperor had converted to Christianity and around the year 327, in order to protect the tomb he had built a church over it. This church has been destroyed, renovated and rebuilt several times over the past 1,700 years. Which has led to a lot of speculation about the condition of the original burial stone, if it was still intact. Recently a team of scientists supported by the National Geographic Society were allowed to conduct conservation work in the  tomb. 

In October 2016, these scientists were given just 60 hours to carry out their research before the tomb would be sealed possibly for many more centuries. And for the first time in 500 years the tomb was unsealed. 

Their preliminary findings confirmed that portions of the tomb are still in perfect shape since the time it was sealed 500 years ago. And perhaps most importantly they also confirmed that the tomb is still empty. That perhaps is the most exciting news of all. The tomb is still empty!

Today is Easter Sunday. It is the most important day of celebration on the church calendar. It is a day that we as Christians have a reason to celebrate! Jesus is no longer in the tomb. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen! He is not dead – He is alive and living! Death has been defeated. The debt of sin has been paid for. And through Christ we have hope! Through His shed blood our sins have been forgiven and now we have a purpose for living. That is exciting news!

But more than an event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ represents for us a change of position. 

Matthew 27:50 – 52 says ‘ And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many’.

Many Bodies of Saints Arose When Jesus Resurrected. Through His  resurrection barriers were broken, graves were opened, and the dead saints which slept arose. 

What this means is that you are due for a change of story too. No matter how deadly your situation is, the power of resurrection can change that today. By the power of the resurrection you will no longer be listed among the dead, the sick, the oppressed or the limited. 

Ephesians 2:4 – 6 says ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus’

Through the Resurrection Of Jesus Christ, we have also been raised. Where there was death there now is life. Where there was emptiness there is now fullness. Where there was fear there is now peace. Where there was confusion there is now purpose. This is the reason for our celebration today. Yes, He is risen, and so have we!

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Please help me to fully appropriate the benefits that Jesus won for me on the cross. By His resurrection power may everything dead around me come alive today in Jesus Name. 
QUOTE : 

Illuminate your world for you are a star destined to shine. WORDBITE 222. 

 [ADAPTED FROM TRIUMPH OF LIGHT OVER DARKNESS]