Time seems to change everything. Nothing appears to remain the same for very long. However, even as we think about traditions, longing for them to stay untouched by time, our celebrations can be adversely affected by the simple familiarity that comes with age. Birthdays, Christmas, and Easter easily lose the excitement of past years. As we celebrate Easter this year, there is a real danger that you will fail to recognize the resurrected Jesus. This inability is understandable yet deadly to spiritual well-being. To protect against this spiritual malady this Lenten season, look to Jesus as the promised Messiah, our current King, and your future hope of glory.
On the very day that Jesus rose from the grave, two disciples were walking along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. You can read this account in Luke 24:13-35. They were talking about everything that had happened when Jesus drew near and started walking along with them. The text in Luke says they were ‘kept’ from recognizing Him. But, they will recognize Him by the end of the day. How does Jesus reveal Himself to them during this walk? He opens the scriptures beginning with Moses and all the Prophets and teaches them about who He is.
As Jesus relates who He is, He shows these disciples what the Old Testament says about the Messiah. The promised Messiah would come humbly, riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). He would be crucified with criminals, bearing the iniquities of the people, thereby making them righteous (Isaiah 53:12). And He would rise from the dead (Isaiah 25:8 swallow up death & 53:10 prolong His days). As you celebrate Easter, it’s this Messiah revealed in the Old Testament that allows you to celebrate with the assurance that God has fulfilled His promise to you.
Within the descriptions of the promised Messiah their also lies the fact that He will come as the King. Although many Jews were looking for a conquering king, Jesus shows how the Old Testament prophecies describe Him as a King coming to bring peace. The Triumphant entry was the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 as Jesus came into Jerusalem wot shouts of Hosanna. However, now that Jesus has risen from the dead, the following week, it’s clear that Psalm 68:18 & 110:1 point to Jesus as the King. As you celebrate Good Friday and prepare for Easter morning, you can be sure that Jesus is reigning as the current King over all the earth.
There is one other vital thing we learn about the Messiah in the Old Testament. He will come a second time. This second advent is made clear in Job 19:25 and will mark the end of the age. In Revelation chapter 19, this last day will see the final victory followed by the marriage supper of the Lamb, which will usher in eternity.
As you celebrate Easter don’t let the wonder of the resurrection pass-you-by. You can be sure that Jesus was the promised Messiah, you should be amazed that He reigns right now as King overall, and you can celebrate knowing that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead will one day bring you to glory. He is risen, He is risen, He is risen indeed!