“‘It is done’ will shout the cross. Christ has paid redemption’s cost . . . “

Something struck me as I sang those words from “Jesus Saves” the other night in choir rehearsal: how seldom we consider the resurrection, how seldom we give thought to its power. We relegate the resurrection—the cornerstone of our faith—to Easter Sunday as if discussing it any other day would somehow diminish its impact.

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.—Philippians 3:10-11

All of us, to some extent, are familiar with suffering. If our Lord suffered, why should we be exempt? But how much time do we spend considering the resurrection power available to us? I don’t know about you, but I’m spent and often overwhelmed. I need that power now.

Consider what that power means.

It is the power that gives us faith.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.—1 Corinthians 15:17

It is the power that brings a promise of new life.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.—1 Corinthians 15:22

It is the power that brings not just new life but transformation.

What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.—1 Corinthians 15:42-43

It is the power that defeated sin, death and hell. It is the power that set captives free. It is the power that shook kingdoms and changed the course of history. It is the power that makes our faith unique because only we – those whose hope is in Christ – serve a living Savior.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.—1 Peter 1:3-9

Is anyone else wanting to shout “hallelujah” about now?

Friends, it’s high time we know His power of our all-powerful God even as we are destined to share in His sufferings. It’s high time we rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory because we have a living hope. Dear Jesus, let us not squander such great grace! Let us delight in such glory!

We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.—Romans 6:4