From Death to Life

This Easter devotional is part of a 4-part Easter weekend series walking through the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the glory that followed. If you missed the earlier reflections, you can catch up here:
Maundy Thursday: Before the Cross, He Knelt to Serve
Good Friday: Pierced for Our Transgressions

Four days ago, we sat in the upper room.
Three days ago, we stood at the foot of the cross.
And today, we run to the empty tomb.

This is the day everything changed.

The grief of Friday is not the end. The silence of Saturday is not the final word. On the third day, the stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. And Jesus, the crucified One, is alive.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5-6)

The Fulfillment of the Promise

The resurrection wasn’t a surprise. Jesus had told His disciples it would happen. But in their sorrow and confusion, they forgot. Until the angels reminded them. Until the risen Christ stood before them.

“Remember how He told you… that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:6-7)

And long before Jesus walked the earth, God had already promised this victory.

“After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live before Him.” (Hosea 6:2)

“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10)

The resurrection was not Plan B. It was always God’s plan.

The Witnesses

The first to see the risen Christ were not kings or priests or political leaders. They were women. Followers of Jesus who came to honor His body and instead became the first to proclaim His resurrection.

Mary Magdalene. Joanna. Mary, the mother of James. The disciples didn’t believe them at first (Luke 24:10-11), but the Lord had chosen them as the first witnesses of His glory.

And then Jesus appeared to more. The two on the road to Emmaus. The disciples in the locked room. Over 500 people in the days that followed (1 Corinthians 15:6).

This wasn’t myth or metaphor. This was flesh and blood reality. Jesus defeated death, walked out of the grave, and appeared again and again. The resurrection is historically credible, prophetically fulfilled, and eternally glorious.

The Hope of the Gospel

Because He lives, we have hope.
Because He rose, our sin is paid for.
Because the tomb is empty, our eternity is secure.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Sin doesn’t get the last word. Suffering doesn’t get the last word. Death does not get the last word.

Jesus does.

Pause with Jesus

Easter Sunday is a day to rejoice. But not just today! The resurrection shapes every day of the believer’s life. It’s not a seasonal truth—it’s a year-round reality. We live because Christ lives.

So celebrate. Sing. Gather. Rejoice in the finished work of Jesus. But don’t leave it at the tomb.

Because the story doesn’t end here. Jesus didn’t just rise and disappear. He continued appearing, teaching, and preparing His disciples for what was next.

And what’s next… is glory.

Want to dig deeper today?

Read Luke 24, John 20, Psalm 16, and 1 Corinthians 15.
Let the joy of the resurrection fuel your worship.
Let the truth of the gospel anchor your soul.