There have been many notable conquests in history, and outstanding conquests in the worlds of science, medicine, business and sport where life changing discoveries have been made and records broken. But by far the greatest conquest of all time, as related in the Bible and confirmed in the lives of billions of Christians through the ages, is the conquest of the Easter story. This conquest changed everything.
For the very good news of the Easter message is that Jesus certainly was dead but that He didn’t stay dead. In other words, the Easter story is fact not fiction (see Lee Strobel’s best-selling book ‘The Case for Christ’ and theologian N.T. Wright). The conquest of Easter, so long ago, could not be more needed or more relevant today for every one of us.
1. The conquest of Easter is the triumph of love over hate (1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:10; Romans 5:7-8; John 3:16)
2. The conquest of Easter is the triumph over light over darkness (Luke 24:44)
3. The conquest of Easter is the triumph of life over death (Acts: 2:24; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:17-18; Hebrews 2:14-15; John 11:25-26; John 14:19; Ephesians 1:18-20)
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1. The conquest of Easter is the triumph of love over hate. We live in a world full of hate. Hatred in Russia and Ukraine. Hatred in the Middle East. Hatred against the Jews. Hatred against Christians. Hatred against Muslims. Hatred in our politics. Hatred paraded on our streets and in our schools and colleges. Hatred on social media. Hatred in countless broken relationships. Where can you find any love when you are surrounded by hate? Well, the best answer is the crucifixion of Jesus. For just outside of Jerusalem, human hatred and the anger of the mob manifested in all its ugliness. Corrupt politics condemned an innocent man to die. Religious intolerance was revealed with awful viciousness and violence. Jesus was beaten, bullied and brutalised. He was stripped and lashed with a whip designed to tear His flesh open down to the bone. A crowd of thorns was hammered on his head. His hands and feet were nailed to a wooden cross. He was spat on, repeatedly punched and relentlessly mocked. And yet for all this Jesus, who had spent his life doing nothing but good, did not let the hate get to Him. He did not become embittered and vengeful. Rather, as He had taught, He prayed for His enemies in his final moments ‘Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.’ And when He died, He showed the full extent of His love for the world giving His pure blood so that everyone could be cleansed from sin (1 John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). The story of Calvary is the greatest love story ever told. It shows the lengths God was prepared to go to, to rescue people lost in their guilt and sin and rebellion. Jesus went through hell that we could make it to heaven (Romans 5:7-8). One of the most famous verses in the Bible shows us why we can be confident that God does not hate us but wants to show us His love (John 3:16). God’s amazing, unconditional love is for people of every class, colour, culture, country and continent. And it is this love of Jesus and this love alone that can drive out hatred in our hearts and in others.
2. The conquest of Easter is the triumph over light over darkness. Easter tells us the awful darkness of Good Friday was followed by the bright new dawn of Easter Sunday. On Friday everything was as dark as could be. On Friday things got so bad that from the sixth hour to the ninth hour, ‘darkness came over the whole land’ (Luke 24:44). All light was extinguished. All dreams were shattered. All hope was dashed. Evil seemed to have triumphed. It was as dark a day as you could imagine. Maybe you too have known very dark days, days of pain, suffering, bereavement, break-up, betrayal, abandonment, rejection, regret and remorse. You have searched for light, some rays of hope, but couldn’t find any. Maybe even today you can’t see a way forward in your life. You think it’s all over for you. But it isn’t when you let Jesus into your life. God can turn your dark Friday into a bright new Sunday. On Easter Sunday the disciples found that a new and unexpected day of discovery had dawned for them. There would come great light after great darkness. There would come great comfort after great sadness. There would come great joy after great depression. They were not alone: the Lord Himself was with them. So too you can also have new hope beyond your hopelessness and despair. That’s the hope that comes from knowing that Jesus is alive.
3. The conquest of Easter is the triumph of life over death. Death, the final enemy was put to death, through Christ’s death and resurrection. Death, the ultimate weapon of Satan’s dark kingdom, could not keep Jesus in the tomb (Acts: 2:24; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:17-18). Through the death and resurrection of Christ, the curse and power of death has been broken. You don’t have to fear death anymore (Hebrews 2:14-15). For sure death is painful but the sting has been taken out. When you die and are buried or cremated it’s not the end. For the Christian death it’s the beginning of a wonderful new life in Christ’s presence (John 11:25-26; John 14:19). The incredible power of God that raised Christ from the dead can also work great change in your life (Ephesians 1:18-20). God’s power can raise us from spiritual death and bring us into fellowship with the living Christ. God’s power can free you from fear, guilt, worry, or the power of sinful behaviour, habits and addictions. God’s power can help you overcome any trial or temptation. To know that truth brings great joy and confidence through the passing years. So, you have every reason to celebrate the truth of the Easter message. Whatever your situation or the state of your life today, there is a great future for your tomorrow. This is the great hope of the Easter message. You can know love instead of hate, light instead of darkness and life instead of death, both now and forever. This Easter Sunday, you too can meet the risen Christ for yourself. He is real. He is alive. He loves you and He offers you a new beginning. Just believe in Him and ask Him to come into your life.
