On one occasion Michelangelo turned to his fellow artists and said with frustration in his voice, “Why do you keep filling gallery after gallery with endless pictures on the one theme of Christ in weakness, Christ on the cross, and most of all, Christ hanging dead?” he asked, “Why do you concentrate on that passing episode as if it were the last word, as if the curtain dropped down there on disaster and defeat? That dreadful scene lasted only a few hours. But to the unending eternity Christ is alive; Christ rules and reigns and triumphs!”
Michelangelo was right. Even though the cross is vitally important because of the redemption Jesus accomplished for us there, we must not emphasize His death to the exclusion of His resurrection victory. We should think of Him now in His glorified state in heaven.
What an awe-inspiring picture John gives us of the Lord Jesus in the book of Revelation! His trumpet voice and powerful figure of strength and grandeur made the apostle see Him as the victorious conqueror over death and hell who will one day come to rule in unexcelled glory. We need to think often of the risen Christ who declared, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). He is now our risen Lord, our Intercessor at the throne, and our soon-coming King.
Today as we joyously celebrate Christ’s resurrection, let’s emphasize His thrilling words, “I am alive forevermore!” – Henry G. Bosch
Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry;
Now in heaven exalted high;
Hallelujah, what a Savior! – Bliss
Jesus who died to save us now lives to keep us.
- April 19, 1987, Our Daily Bread
For You 