Christ is Risen!

Sunday, March 31, 2013 | Easter Sunday

Acts 10:34, 37-43 | Psalm 118 | Colossians 3:1-4 |

I Corinthians 5:6-8 | John 20:1-9

DEEP-KNEE BENDS

“He saw and believed.” - John 20:8

Happy Resurrection Day! Alleluia! Jesus is risen! Alleluia!

John the apostle was the first person to believe in Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:8), possibly because of his humility. When he arrived at Jesus’ tomb, John deferred to Peter by waiting for him and letting him enter first. It took humility to defer to Peter who had just recently denied Christ three times. However, John humbled himself.

While John was waiting at Jesus’ tomb for Peter to arrive, the Bible says he “bent down to peer in” (John 20:5). This is not a trivial detail; it indicates the spiritual posture of those who believe in the risen Jesus. If we are truly to believe in Him, we must bend down, humble ourselves, and embrace the feet of the risen Jesus (Matthew 28:9; see also John 20:17). Only those who humble themselves will be exalted by faith in the risen Christ (see Matthew 23:12; Philippians 2:8-9). No one goes up with the risen Lord except the one who has “bent down” in humility (see John 3:13).

On this Easter Sunday, let us humble ourselves and believe in the risen Jesus.

Prayer: Father, may I consider it a privilege to humble myself by witnessing for the risen Jesus.