On this Easter weekend we look at what ended when Jesus was crucified and what wonderful blessings commenced for us who believe. Not only is our life now blessed, but we have eternal blessings awaiting us.
1. The curse of death ended and the blessing of an abundant life, now and forever, began. “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. “For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:13-14 NLT).
2. The cross ended us being declared sinners living in guilt and shame. We are justified before God – God sees us just as if we’d never sinned. “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed” (I Pet. 2:24 Amp). We are healed (made whole) in mind, body and soul.
3. Our old nature of sin ended and we commenced life with a new nature. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:17 NLT).
4. Like Israel was released from the oppression of their enemy, the Egyptians, because of the power of the blood of the Passover lamb, so we have been released from the power of our enemy, the devil, and have begun a life in the Spirit.” For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Col. 1:13-14).
5. We have been released from the fear of death and have begun a life of eternal life. “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT). Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25 NLT).
Christ is Risen: The world below lies desolate
Christ is Risen: The spirits of evil are fallen
Christ is Risen: The angels of God are rejoicing
Christ is Risen: The tombs of the dead are empty
Christ is Risen indeed from the dead, the first of the sleepers, Glory and power are his forever and ever.
— St. Hippolytus of Rome
(Ideas from the Easter Sunday message at LifeSource Church 4.4.21).