The Resurrection of Jesus Christ should give us joy – exceeding joy. The Resurrection is what gives us life, when we trust in Christ, and hope – that Christ’s Resurrection is the first, but not the last. One day all those who have died in Christ will rise as well. But as joyous as this is, there’s even more joy traceable to the risen Christ than we might realize. Think of all the things that exist because Jesus didn’t stay dead.

If it weren’t for the resurrected Jesus, the New Testament wouldn’t exist. If Easter hadn’t happened, Jesus of Nazareth would have faded into the background with all the other people Rome crucified. But we know the name of Jesus because He isn’t like anyone else who was crucified: He didn’t stay dead; He rose again. When we stop to think about it, we realize that everything in the Christian life comes back to the risen Christ. “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:20). All the promises of God are a mega-ton “Yes!” in Jesus!

• What are some of the joys in your life that you can connect to the Resurrection of Jesus?