Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:9 ESV)
Easter Sunday brings to mind many things. As Christians, we are often cynical about several facets of modern Easter in our society: the commercialization of it, the distractions of the Easter Bunny and candy, and, even in the church, the appearance of those who tend to only come to worship once or twice a year. In our frustrations, we may tend to spend too much time refuting or distancing ourselves from these things that we lose sight of what matters most.
Easter is a fresh reminder of who God is.
Of course Easter Sunday is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Of course we are renewed in our minds to the great glory of salvation. But we are also given a reminder of the nature and power of God so that we can fully rely on him, and not ourselves, every day, and not just on Easter Sunday.
After explaining to the Corinthians the danger that he encountered in Asia, Paul makes a startling remark: his utter helplessness and feeling that he was going to die was specially designed for him so that he would not trust in himself, but on God! And Paul goes on to add this to God’s title: “Who raises the dead.” Paul is saying that in his darkest, most dangerous, most uncertain moment in life, he was stripped of all confidence in himself and anyone else so that he would be totally, completely, utterly dependent on one Being: The God Who Raises the Dead.
This is who God is: the one who raises the dead. On one hand, it’s almost comically casual: there’s the guy who always shows up early, the girl who gets straight A’s, and the God who raises the dead. It’s said so matter-of-factly, because it’s God’s very nature to raise the dead! On the other hand, this description of God is supernaturally mind-boggling: death is supposed to be final, but God, by his very nature, can bring the dead to life! Is anything too hard for God? Absolutely not!
This Easter, see past all those things that might distract you from receiving truth, and, as you think about the resurrection of Christ, fix your eyes squarely on the God Who Raises the Dead!