The Power of Easter

It’s almost too familiar, the Easter story.
Crucifix

Jesus’ arrest, trial, scourging, crucifixion and resurrection. God’s remarkable story of redemption settles in our hearts, but we often lose the awe.

A perfect man, the Lord Jesus Christ, was wrongly accused by a group of people who felt threatened by Him. They conspired against Him and had Him beaten and executed.

Most Christians understand the spiritual implications of Jesus’ sacrifice, that He

  • bore the weight of our cross,
  • took our punishment, and
  • paid the penalty for our sin.

But we often lose sight of what happened in the physical realm, that the beating Jesus received left Him bloody and unrecognizable. And three days later—THREE DAYS—He rose from the grave and was mistaken for a gardener (John 20:15).

No bruises, scabs or swelling. Jesus was completely HEALED.

Prayers for healing fill my journal. I had foot surgery in January and returned for a post-op visit a week after my procedure to have the dressing changed. I caught my breath when I saw the puffy, scabby mess. Three months later, the scabs have healed but my foot is still swollen and bruised. My surgeon told me to expect the healing process to take another three months.

This Easter, my achy foot points me to the Savior and to the power of the Holy Spirit.

eph 1 19-20

Paul prayed that the believers in Ephesus, and believers everywhere, would understand the power residing in us through the Holy Spirit. But do we?

Do we believe God can breathe new life back into our circumstances and resurrect the dead things in our lives?

  • A dead marriage or relationship.
  • A dead reputation.
  • A dead dream.

Maybe you don’t struggle with something that’s dead, but something very much alive that threatens to overwhelm you.

  • An addiction.
  • An eating disorder.
  • An insecurity.

As we celebrate the resurrection, remember the power of Easter lives within each of us who trust Jesus as Lord! Whatever is broken or dead in your life, will you sacrifice it to the Resurrected One and trust Him to breathe new life into it?

Image courtesy iStockPhoto.com

18 Responses to The Power of Easter
  1. Kari Scare
    April 21, 2014 | 6:12 am

    Been reading Colossians 3 and meditating on the power of the resurrection to transform our lives. We no longer need live under the power of old habits but can live transformed lives clothed in the nature of the new self. That is one major way I see the activity of the resurrection power in my life.

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:13 am

      Isn’t it amazing how much we see His power referred to, especially in the New Testament? Yes, we’re no longer under the power of the old nature! Colossians 3 is a great reminder. Thanks, Kari!

  2. Vonda Skelton
    April 21, 2014 | 9:05 am

    At those times when I wonder if God could possibly change circumstances in my life, I must always remember that if He could rise from the dead, He can do anything! Why do I even question?

    Either I believe in it all…or I believe in nothing at all…

    Thank you, Susan. So thankful you’re feeling better. Praying for continued healing and peace.

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:16 am

      Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment, Vonda. And thank you for your prayers! What you said about belief reminded me of a funny comment about being pregnant — you either ARE or you’re NOT.
      So true!

  3. Marcia Moston
    April 21, 2014 | 9:14 am

    So easy to read the words without absorbing the impact. Yes! He is alive. We have a living hope. Need to be reminded sometimes. Prayers for foot–may he wash them with healing. (even a speedier one)

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:20 am

      I think of so many verses and accounts in the Bible, ones that are powerful but are so familiar that we lose the wonder! A living hope is one of the most amazing gifts He gives us, but too many times we go through our days with defeated or despondent attitudes. That’s a shame.

      Thank you, Marcia. I’m so grateful to see you here, and I’m especially grateful for your prayers. See you in a few weeks!

  4. Cathy Baker
    April 21, 2014 | 11:20 am

    Susan, this is one of the most practical, yet powerful, posts on Easter I’ve read this season. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that resides in me. Wow. Now to put feet to this truth in my own life.

    Deb, thanks so much for sharing Susan’s post today! What a blessing.

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:20 am

      Thanks so much, Cathy. Yes — to put feet on the powerful truths of His word!

  5. Anna Popescu
    April 21, 2014 | 1:08 pm

    Susan, this really blessed my heart! My ponderings this Easter season were mostly about the physical agony Jesus went through just so we could have the privilege of living with Him forever. Such an immense love!

    I hope your Resurrection Day was a sweet celebration of the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ in our lives.

    Love/hugs/blessings!
    ~Anna

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:22 am

      Hugs to YOU, Anna! I think it’s interesting and individual ways the Spirit guides our thoughts during Easter. He meets us right where we are. I’m grateful for my writer friends who share those insights so we can have a fuller understanding of His great love for us 🙂

  6. Ginger Harrington
    April 21, 2014 | 1:24 pm

    Thanks, Susan. Your words are encouragement that I needed to read today. Prayers for your achy foot!

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:23 am

      Thank you, Ginger! And I’m praying for you as you travel with your family. Hope y’all had a wonderful time away.

  7. Marisa Shadrick
    April 21, 2014 | 2:15 pm

    Glad to see you on different venues. Always a pleasure to read your posts.

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:23 am

      You’re a sweetie, Marisa. I’m slowly getting back into the online world. I’ll be by soon 🙂

  8. Mary Gemmill
    April 21, 2014 | 10:18 pm

    Hey Susan- I feel for you deeply that your foot is still achy- and I agree with you that we say the Scriptures- but at times struggle in the depths of our hearts to really believe- because we have waited so long for healing to come.

    I’m glad you raised these questions to challenge us.

    Recently when I was struggling with a painful shoulder and then hurt my lower back which was agony- a praying friend had to really battle through my unbelief as she prayed. I awoke the next morning with a song in my heart: I am the Lord, who healeith thee, I realised I had been in unbelief and repented and said to God, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief.

    It has taken 3 weeks, but the spinal injury is now completely healed, and the shoulder is still awaiting surgery. Because the back has healed, it gives me much more confidence for the shoulder to eventually come right after surgery.

    I will continue to pray for you to have the experience of a completed healing in your foot as it has been a long and drawn out battle for you, for sure !

    Have you found that God has redeemed your suffering in some other way? I have learnt through many experiences that He will always redeem a period of suffering one way or another,

    You will remember my Mum dying, months before yours. My time with Mum was so very hard, but God is redeeming that by giving me a year now with just my step-dad to visit- and he is so gracious and so appreciative- that it has been a healing year- healing of my heart.

    I trust the Lord has been close to you, also, and that He has revealed His deep and abiding love to you while you wait for your healing to be complete?

    God Bless you.

    Love,

    Mary.

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:27 am

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Mary. I’m rejoicing and praying in your healing, and looking forward to my own!

      As for redeeming the grief, YES. I can definitely see that God has given me new graces during this period. And a very special blessing is that I’ll get to spend the month of June with my dad in ISRAEL! We are both head over heels in love with God’s covenant land, and this will be my fifth trip there. This will be different from the previous pilgrimage tours I helped lead, as we will be on a mission to the Palestinians in the West Bank.

      More to come on that 🙂
      Blessings to you!

  9. Glenda Mills
    April 22, 2014 | 7:31 am

    Susan,
    Wonderful thoughts here. Because He lives, no matter our circumstances, we can count on new life through his resurrection power through out all the seasons of our lives.
    Hugs!

    • Susan Stilwell
      April 22, 2014 | 10:28 am

      AMEN, Glenda! Aren’t we glad His power is inexhaustible and He meets us where we are with exactly what we need!