The Power of the Resurrection

The Resurrection addresses the problem of human powerlessness.

When we think about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we often

think about how the death of Jesus was the event that made us legally

right with God. And that, of course, is true.

However, the Resurrection adds a specific dimension to salvation.

The resurrection of Jesus is meaningful not just because it shows us

that one day we will be resurrected, as well. The Resurrection placed

Jesus at the right hand of the Father in a position of power and authority.

This Resurrection power is the same power that God makes available

for us today!

In Ephesians 1:18–23, Paul talks about the power of God. What does this

text teach us about the power of the Resurrection? What hope and

promises for yourself can you find in these verses?

Paul is praying that the Ephesians understand a few things that

can be understood properly only with divine help: (1) that there is

the hope of transformation and an eternal future to which Jesus has

called us and (2) that we understand the power that was manifested

in our behalf.

Paul then tries to describe how astonishing this power is. The power

that is available to us today is the same power that resurrected Jesus not

just out of the ground and back to life, but to the place of power at the

Father’s right hand.

But Paul doesn’t stop there. The Resurrection didn’t simply give

Jesus just any sort of power. It gave Him the power to rule and provide

every possible thing His people could ever need—for all eternity!

Make a list of the areas in your life where you need the power

of the resurrected Jesus. When you have finished, pray that this

power will be applied to all these areas of need. At the same time,

what can you do better? What choices can you make that can

allow this power to work more freely in your life?