Written by When you think about Easter, what comes to mind?
As a kid, Easter was all about candy-filled baskets, patent leather shoes, and a cute hat to match my new spring coat. Even though we went to church, I’m not sure I could have articulated why Easter was significant other than it was the one time of year we got solid chocolate bunnies and brightly colored marshmallow chicks on a bed of shiny plastic grass.
Even though I no longer eat cheap, neon-colored marshmallows, I still can tap into the joy I felt on Easter morning almost six decades ago.
Although I didn’t understand that the hope of the season had nothing to do with chocolate and everything to do with Jesus, I experienced an anticipation of something good.
Little did I know that there was way more to it than candy.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you likely already know that the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central tenet of Christianity. Without the resurrection of Jesus, there’s no victory over sin or death (1 Cor 15:14-17)..
… there’s no new life, no justification, no hope.
Because Jesus is risen, our sins are forgiven, and we have been given a new life in Him.
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom 6:4)
But What IS this New Life?
One of the things that excites me most about Jesus’s resurrection (besides the victory over death) is the promise of transformation, restoration, and healing for every believer. These three themes are deeply woven into the gospel story and become personal realities for believers because He rose again.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion and disappointment about how those things manifest in our lives. Sometimes, our “before and after” Jesus photos look exactly the same. We wonder if the promises of a new life in Christ are a false bill of goods.
If that is you, I get it.
Let me see if I can clear a few things up.
Transformation: A New Identity and Life in Christ
When someone surrenders their life to Christ, they are promised a new identity. Believers are no longer defined by their past sin or shame, but by their identity in the risen Christ. Scripture describes it in 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Although the identity change is immediate, complete transformation can take a lifetime. For example, if you grew up as an orphan living in the slums of a large city but got adopted by the royal family, you would be known as the “son of the king.” However, just because you moved into the palace would not guarantee you’d act like a royal son. The transformation from pauper to prince would take time.
The same is true for you.
When you become part of the family of Christ, your family identity changes, but the internal transformation required to help you act like Jesus takes time. Thankfully, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead provides what’s needed to facilitate changes to our character, desires, and behaviors (Rom 8:11).
This process of becoming more like Jesus is called sanctification.
What You Need to Know about Sanctification
- It happens in relationships with God and others. Although God could instantly change everything in us, He chooses to walk with us in a relationship. We must learn to trust, depend on, and know God deeply. Like any real relationship, growth comes through time, struggle, and love. Our relationships with other people (especially in marriage) also refine us. Ditto for parenting. Remember, iron sharpens iron through contact and friction. If that process sounds painful, I’m not going to lie—it is.
- Memorizing Scripture isn’t enough: Although the word of God is “sharper than any double-edged sword, even dividing soul and spirit,” it has to be applied to work. (Annoying, I know.) We must continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12-13). If you’re not trembling, perhaps you’re not being sanctified.
- Sanctification happens through real experiences: In other words, God uses the journey to develop in us the heart and character of Christ. We are told in Romans 5:3-4 that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. I get that no one likes to suffer, me included, but if I’m honest, my greatest seasons of spiritual growth have happened in seasons of suffering.
Restoration of Relationship and Purpose:
The resurrection confirms that sin has been dealt with; now we can approach God freely. Put another way, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are reconciled to God.
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—” (Col 1:21-22)
In practical terms, this means we can walk into God’s throne room and sit on His lap to discuss whatever is on our minds. Even if you wouldn’t feel comfortable doing that with your earthly father, it’s possible to do that with your heavenly Father because Jesus made a way.
The resurrection also restores us to our original design to reflect God’s image and steward His world.
You are not an accident; your heavenly Father dreamed you up for a plan and with a purpose. Sin may have derailed you for a time, but Easter Sunday reminds us that Jesus made a way for you to be who He created you to be! We don’t need to remain stuck in our brokenness and bound by our fears.
Jesus made a way for you to be you.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10)
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.” (Eph 3:20)
Healing in our Soul and Body:
Finally, the resurrection means we can expect to be healed in body and soul. Christ’s wounds and victory meet our deepest inner hurts with resurrection hope. Scripture recounts stories of the resurrected Christ uniquely encountering individuals in their grief, despair, and unbelief. He heals individual hearts in specific and targeted ways.
- Mary Magdalene’s grief was transformed into joy when Jesus spoke her name at the tomb (John 20:16). At one point in her life, Mary was riddled with seven demons; however, Jesus confirmed her identity and healed her grief when He spoke her name.
- Peter’s despair was redirected toward purpose when Jesus spoke to him over breakfast (John 21:15-17). Jesus strategically asked Peter three times to affirm his love, the same number of times that Peter denied Him.
- Thomas’ unbelief was cured when Jesus invited him to put his hand in His side (John 20:24-29). There’s nothing like a live demo to cure someone stuck in logic.
Scripture tells us Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
The risen Christ is still healing today.
Although we don’t always see healing immediately manifested when we ask, because of the resurrection, we are assured that some day, He will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body (Phil 3:21).
What This Means For You
If you are in the habit of thinking about Easter as a special day to eat chocolate without expecting the resurrection to impact your life here and now…
…stop right here.
Your life is intertwined with the most extraordinary story ever told, and will be forever changed if you allow the risen Christ to meet you, just as he met Mary, Peter, and Thomas.
Allow yourself to reflect on the three categories—transformation, restoration, and healing—which are impacted by the resurrection of Jesus.
Perhaps you are someone who knows that you have a new identity in Christ, but is struggling to look like Him. In other words, you may feel stuck in sinful patterns of addiction or behaviors that keep you from reflecting your “son or daughter of God” status. If that’s you, here are some questions to process with God:
- Do you have someone in your life with whom you are fully transparent? Someone who will sharpen you (bringing about sanctification), pray for you, and hold you accountable? If not, ask God who could fill that role?
- Do you run to God with your struggles or run away from Him? If you run away, what’s going on with that? Ask God if there is a lie you believe about yourself or Him. Remember, God promises to complete the work He started in you. Sanctification is not a self-improvement project you should undertake without Him.
- What keeps you from getting help with your stuckness? (Remember, sanctification happens in relationship with others and God.) Counseling, group support, a prayer, or an accountability partner can all be helpful.
- Do you speak to God and expect Him to reply to you? If not, why not? Do you need help learning to hear God’s voice? Ask God who can help you learn to hear Him.
If you struggle to be restored to God in relationship, I encourage you to shut your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on Father God’s lap. (Really!) Ask Him the following questions:
- Are you mad at me or disappointed in me?
- What do you love about me?
- What is my superpower?
- What keeps me from living out your purpose for me?
- What lie(s) do I believe about myself?
- Can I come sit on your lap whenever I want?
Lastly, if you need healing in your body or soul (emotions), I invite you to pray this prayer:
Jesus, thank you that your death and resurrection made a way for me to be healed in my body and my soul. Your word says that by your stripes—the whipping you endured before your death—I am healed. I come to you now and stand on the promise of your word. In your name, Jesus, and by the power of your resurrection, I declare healing over my ________. I break agreement with the lie that my situation will never change. I break agreement with hopelessness and unbelief. Because you rose from the dead, I accept your free gift of transformation, restoration, and healing. With your help, Jesus, I will do my part to submit to the sanctification process. I celebrate your victory and commit my life to reflect that victory to others. In Jesus’ name…
Have a blessed Easter!