In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef looks at the power of the resurrection through the life of Peter.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Remember the Resurrection: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
[00:00:00] You are listening to MY Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way.
[00:00:07] His power in us by Dr. Michael Youssef. On Easter Sunday we enjoy the good news of the resurrection.
[00:00:17] We sing songs about the empty tomb. We listen to the pastor tell us how Christ conquered death.
[00:00:23] But then something happens, for too many of us Monday rolls around and nothing has changed.
[00:00:30] Yet the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything. The reality of the resurrection demands a change. We cannot be the same if we truly understand its power.
[00:00:42] In John 20 verses 1 through 8, we're told that even though Simon Peter had been part of Jesus' inner circle of disciples, he was so scared when Jesus was arrested that he denied even knowing Jesus three times.
[00:00:57] Peter saw what was happening on that dark night. Jesus would be killed and he might be next. Out of doubt, out of a desire for self-preservation, Peter abandoned Jesus when he should have been by his side.
[00:01:12] Like Peter, we are often guilty of living on the wrong side of Easter. How often do we live our lives as if Jesus died on the cross but never rose again? How often do we doubt His promises in the midst of the tests and trials of life?
[00:01:26] When Peter came to the tomb on Sunday morning, he made a life-changing discovery. He saw the strips of linen lined there as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lined in its place separate from the linen.
[00:01:41] This was the moment when the doubts gave way to hope and soon to the resurrection power.
[00:01:48] In Acts 2, we see a transformed emboldened Peter. No longer denying Christ's interfere of death. Now Peter is declaring Christ boldly and publicly. In Acts 2, 24, he says, God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
[00:02:07] What happened to this fearful fisherman? He experienced the power of Christ's resurrection. He discovered there was no stopping Jesus.
[00:02:18] Are you living on the wrong side of Easter? Or do you truly believe that the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you?
[00:02:29] Let's pray together. Heavenly Father, we confess that often we've lived on the wrong side of Easter, doubting your promises, questioning your power.
[00:02:39] Like Peter, help us to know the reality of your resurrection in such a way that we are changed forever. We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
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[00:02:58] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusuf. To learn more, visit LTW.org today.
[00:03:09] Thank you.