I Will Rise
Researcher Siddhartha Kara has calculated the number of slaves in the world by type, and determined the number of debt bondage slaves to be 18.1 million at the end of 2006 (Wikipedia).
Debt bondage is still prevalent in many nations of the world today; a situation where a debtor is in servitude to the creditor, until the debtor repays the loan. Some die in this servitude if not redeemed. The United Nations describes this as a form of “modern day slavery”.
What is the way out? A rich co-signer or wealthy individual can easily repay the loan. Everyone on earth was born into sin, and would die in sin if not redeemed. Jesus died for our sins to redeem us, that we being redeemed from sin may live eternally as children of God with God in heaven. We will not taste death (separation from God) or hell (apart from Jesus , whoever goes to hell can no longer be redeemed, as they will move from hell to the lake of fire for eternal punishment). Jesus tasted death for 3 days and 3 nights, so you and I do not have to go through death and hell.
In 711 B.C.; over 700 years before Jesus was born, in Isaiah 53; the prophet Isaiah prophesied that Jesus, the savior would be despised, rejected, bear our pains and sicknesses, be pierced, bruised and crushed for our sins unjustly; because it pleased the Lord to punish Jesus instead of you and me; and ultimately die for our sins.
Why did it have to be this way? This was God’s plan, carried out by men. Hear Luke in Acts 2:23; this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Over 2,500 years ago, in 539 B.C. Daniel prophesied that the Messiah, savior would be killed; David prophesied the same and the power and glory of the risen Lord.
For what purpose? Jesus died for you and was raised from the dead for your justification, so you are no longer condemned and in slavery because of your sin. In John 8:34; Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God (Romans 4:25)
Next steps: As many as accept Jesus as Lord and savior would be saved from slavery to sin, into a new life of no record of previous sins and grace to live a sinless life. Simply confess your sins and say: Lord Jesus forgive me, wash my sins away using your blood, be my Lord and savior and write my name in the book of life.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus said “I will rise again” (Matthew 27:63) and he did rise again from the dead.
Hear the testimony of Angels: And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him (Mark 16:6).
v Mary Magdalene saw Him (Mark 16:19, John 20:11-18)
v 11 disciples saw him (Mark 16:14)
v Angels saw him (Acts 1:11, 1 Timothy 3:16)
v Over 500 people saw him at once he gave them instructions (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8)
v He ascended into heaven in front of several witnesses (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8).
May you rise; in fulfillment of promises.
As we remember and celebrate the glory of the risen Christ, may you rise; from any difficult, lowly, challenging situation you may be in; may God’s glory radiate around you; may you walk in newness of life in Jesus mighty name! Amen.
As we celebrate the rising of Jesus from the dead, may you and all yours have cause to celebrate and be celebrated in Jesus mighty name! Amen! and Amen!! and Amen!!!
