So far in our little series on the Apostle’s Creed, we’ve confessed that ​we believe in God the Father, Almighty who made heaven and earth​. We’ve confessed that ​Jesus stepped into history​, that ​he is God Incarnate, fully divine and fully human, and that he truly died​.

But our great confession does not end with a Christ who died, but one who rose:

The third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

When Jesus was arrested, his disciples scattered. The mission they thought they had been on had failed, their leader was captured, and was killed the next day. And yet, what Jesus promised throughout his ministry was that he would rise again. He would lay aside his life and then take it up again.

That is exactly what Jesus did. For we confess that he rose again from the dead on the third day (John 20:1-10). The Apostles watched as he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:6-11). We know that he is now at the right hand of God the Father (Rom. 8:34). He is there reigning and at his return he will judge the living and the dead (1 Pet. 4:5).

So today, and everyday, rejoice that you do not follow a dead messiah, but one who is indeed alive and who will return.

Notices

This week, Tuesday Night Prayer is back. Join us on Tuesday at 7:30pm for a time of quiet reflection and community in the midst of busy lives and a fractured world.

The summer is a time when many are traveling and slowing down. Stay tuned for updates regarding our summer program, featuring All Together for the Summer and Sunday Night Firesides Chats.