Resurrection Sunday. It doesn’t get any sweeter than this day in terms of worship. Without it, Christmas – the celebration of Jesus’ birth – bears little meaning and absolutely no hope. For believers, Jesus’ death and resurrection are the game changers. And rejoicing with others whose lives have been redeemed is a picture of heaven itself.

I was once asked, “Was Jesus alone on the cross?” I thought it an odd question at first. But, was He (alone)? In Jesus’ sovereign view, from the beginning of mankind to the end of days, He knew (knows still) all who had and would (and will) place their trust in Him. We were with Him; we were His purpose. He knew us before we knew Him. And He suffered immeasurably for us. Yes, Jesus was bodily alone. But in spiritual reality, in the sovereign plan, all true believers died on that cross with Him. Therein lay the victory! Victory in death? Oh, yes! For in dying to self, we gain glorious, transformative life, both now and eternally, in Christ.

This is a lost concept in many of today’s churches. Some church leaders are hesitant to speak of death to self for the believer. This does not play well with the masses. This does not fill the pews, is not a feel-good message, and is not smart marketing. This is, however, truth.

Scripture leaves no doubt. The task of selecting supportive verses and passages was overwhelming! Frankly, the whole of Scripture cries “Surrender!” Since few will take the time to read a three-page blog, I’ll share just a few of the clearest texts:

           Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me and gave himself for me.”

           Luke :23-24 – “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it’.”

           Romans 6:6 – “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”

           Romans 6:8 – “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.”

           I Corinthians 7:19b-20 – “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

           2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come.”

           John 12:24-26 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the Earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves His life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

The Apostle Paul said it beautifully – “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

For those who are redeemed in Christ, let us rejoice together on Resurrection Sunday. Oh, glorious day! We celebrate what matters most – victory, unity, freedom, identity, joy, and hope.

For those who are unsure, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be opened, that you may know the hope…” (Ephesians 1:18). Join Jesus on the cross this Easter. Die to self, live for Christ, and experience the abundance found only in Him.

For certain, He was not alone.

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee