Resurrection Sunday | Offer an Expression of Thanksgiving
Resurrection Sunday is an open door, an invitation to seek God’s presence. When the stone rolled away, Jesus proclaimed His complete and total victory over death and darkness. Through His blood-covering and resurrection life, the veil was removed between us and God. Let this fill your heart with thanksgiving!
Resurrection Sunday is an opportunity to rejoice in Jesus’ eternal victory and remember that the same resurrection power that rose Him from the dead dwells in the hearts of Believers through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11).
May we respond with joy, gratitude, and a deeper desire to know the One Who saved us and ransomed us to new life in Him.
The Passover and Resurrection Sunday Connection
Without Jesus’ sacrifice at Passover, there could be no resurrection. These powerful events are the epicenter of our faith and are our source of supernatural joy and a new way of life.
Exodus 12 recounts the story of the first Passover. The Passover lamb’s blood was smeared on the wooden doorposts in Egypt to protect and save the firstborn from the plague of death. The death angel passed over all who had the lamb’s blood on their doors.
When the promised Messiah, Jesus, came to earth nearly 1500 years later, He was crucified during the feast of Passover. The Passover Lamb, Yeshua (1 Corinthians 5:7-8), poured out His blood on wooden posts in Jerusalem (on the hill of Golgotha, or Calvary). The blood of Jesus was shed so that all who sought refuge in Him would pass from death and darkness to light and life. The cross became our doorway into everlasting life (John 10:9).
- “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” —John 12:46
After Messiah’s death, He was buried. Three days later, He was raised, triumphing over death forever. This exemplifies the hope we have in Him… an everlasting life! This is the power of Resurrection Sunday.
- “…that Christ died for our sins… and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures,” —1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (emphasis added)
- “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” —John 11:25-26 (emphasis added)
Our Response | Living with a Victor Mentality
In the midst of life’s trials and challenges, we can choose a victim mentality or a victor mentality. Without Jesus, we are victims of this fallen world with no hope of change. Through Jesus, we’re given a new way to respond—from a place of victory! God always wants His people’s hearts to turn to Him in every situation. As we turn towards Him, we can experience hope and peace in the midst of challenges.
- “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:13 (emphasis added)
Seeking God is always a choice. But it’s only when we align our hearts with His and remember His great works that we receive what He is offering us (see Psalm 37:4; 103:1-5).
Responding with Preparation
Jesus told His disciples to “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat” (Luke 22:8). Today, the Passover is often referred to as a festival, although during Jesus’ time, it was a special meal and offering given during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
- “Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.’ So they said to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare?’ And He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water… Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.’ So they went and found it just as He had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.” —Luke 22:7-10, 12-13
Jesus told His disciples to go and prepare the Passover offering– a meal enjoyed in fellowship with others as they remembered how God led them out of slavery in Egypt.
Seeking the Face of the Father
Have you asked Jesus how and where you need to prepare to receive what He has for you during this new season? We have entered the time of an open heaven.
His Spirit may be revealing places in your heart that need to depend on Him more. King David displayed this in his prayers…
- “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’ Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.” —Psalm 27:8-9
In the midst of changes and challenges, God invites us to seek Him. Have you felt like David, as if God is hiding when you experience disappointments? Follow David’s example and seek Him all the more diligently and desperately. If you seek Him, you will find Him!
Celebrating and Remembering as a Family
The Lord is asking you to prepare a path for your family.
- “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” —Proverbs 13:22
Passover, or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, was when families gathered around a large table and ate a great feast together. They spent the time celebrating the salvation and freedom they received after years of slavery in Egypt.
This celebratory sacrifice was a way to pass on the story and leave a legacy to the next generation. What legacy and lessons do you want to leave with your children and grandchildren?
Responding with Remembrance
Jesus told His disciples, when they partook in the Passover meal, to do it “in remembrance.” He was providing a deeper meaning to the Passover feast. Though they didn’t know at the time, this remembrance would be more than they could imagine.
Jesus was about to fulfill what the symbolism of Passover has always been pointing to–the coming of the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29).
- “Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘…for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’” —Luke 22:17-20
This Resurrection Sunday, remember what Jesus did on the tree of Calvary. Remember that He was there from the foundation of the Earth. Even when your circumstances shift, remember that He is unchanging.
The blood He shed on the cross still speaks “forgiveness” on your behalf from Heaven (see Hebrews 12:24).
Ask the Holy Spirit what He wants you to put to remembrance. Ask Him to give you eyes to see and a mind to understand how great His love is.
The Power of Praise and Thanksgiving
The Passover offering was a type of peace offering, a specific peace offering referred to as a thanksgiving offering. The worshipper gave this offering, but it was also consumed as part of a feast with his family.
- “This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall offer to the Lord: If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil… The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered. He shall not leave any of it until morning.” —Leviticus 7:11-12, 15 (emphasis added)
The offering was a large meal that needed to be consumed the same day it was offered. As you can imagine, sacrificing a lamb provided a large meal, and the worshipper gathered his family and asked them to dine with him so that the entire sacrifice would be consumed.
The family would ask, “Why are you offering this thanksgiving offering?” (knowing it was a thanksgiving offering because this was the only offering for which the worshipper partook).
This allowed a chance for the worshipper to proclaim the goodness of the Lord. He might say, “This is what the Lord did for me! He saved me from death, and I am thankful!”
Consider This…
What declaration of the Lord’s goodness can you proclaim to your family and friends this year?
Tell your children, grandchildren, spouses, brothers, sisters, and parents about why you are grateful during this time!
The Passover and Jesus’ resurrection are rich in history and blessings. They are about remembering that our sins are covered and responding with praise and gratitude.
Offer your heart to Jesus full of hope, knowing He has redeemed and saved you from death and destruction. Celebrate the Lamb of God returning as the Lion of Judah – remember you have been filled with resurrection power through the Holy Spirit, and walk in His joy and authority!