In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef clarifies that the crucifixion and the resurrection are two sides of the same coin.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Jesus Rose from the Dead . . . So What?: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
[00:00:00] You are listening to MY Devotional, the Daily Devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading The Way.
[00:00:30] Without the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, His crucifixion is nothing but martyrdom.
[00:00:37] Without the resurrection, the death of Jesus leaves us helpless and hopeless and trapped in despair.
[00:00:43] But that's not the true Christian faith.
[00:00:46] Our God is full of grace, mercy and love.
[00:00:49] He sent his son to die to pay the price for our sin, to make an offering once for all to secure our salvation for the shedding of his blood.
[00:01:00] At the same time, the Apostle Paul wrote,
[00:01:02] If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
[00:01:07] You are still in your sins.
[00:01:10] We can come near to the throne of God because Jesus opened His eyes on Easter morning and walked out of the grave, His heart beating, His lungs breathing.
[00:01:19] He defeated the power of sin and death finally and forever.
[00:01:23] And through Him we have the victory in Christ.
[00:01:27] All will be made alive.
[00:01:30] The cross and the empty tomb go together, they can't be separated.
[00:01:35] For it was by His crucifixion that Jesus paid for the sin of every person who would come to Him, believe in Him, surrender to Him, live under His Lordship and receive Him as Savior.
[00:01:48] But it's by His resurrection that He gives us power to defeat sin, guilt and the grave.
[00:01:54] The crucifixion and the resurrection are two sides of a coin.
[00:01:58] If you split that coin, it's no longer legal tender. It doesn't work.
[00:02:03] If you try to take the resurrection away from the cross, it doesn't work either.
[00:02:08] Good Friday is only good because of Easter Sunday and Easter is only a celebration because of the price paid on Good Friday.
[00:02:17] For through Christ a toning sacrifice and resurrection power, we will be changed.
[00:02:23] 1 Corinthians 1554 says,
[00:02:26] When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true.
[00:02:37] Death has been swallowed up in victory.
[00:02:40] Let's pray together.
[00:02:42] Lord, thank You for the power of the resurrection to give us true and everlasting life.
[00:02:47] We praise You for Your mercy and love displayed on that first Easter.
[00:02:52] We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[00:02:56] If today's devotional encouraged You we'd love to hear about it.
[00:03:00] Leave a review and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.
[00:03:05] My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusuf.
[00:03:10] To learn more visit LTW.org today.