Holding the Hem

But on the third day, Jesus arose from the dead. On the third day, the Father said, "Arise My love." On the third day, God said to Jesus what Jesus said to Jairus' daughter, "Honey, it's time to get up out of that grave." Jesus Christ was raised to life, and death was laid to rest. And that is why you and I place all our eggs in the Easter basket. That is why you and I can finish the song, "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he's watching me!" That is why you and I can sing, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh precious is that flow that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus." And God made Him who knew no sin to become sin so that we might become the righteousness of God.

I know what Karl Marx said—that religion is just a crutch for the weak—but let me suggest to you today that Jesus Christ is more than just our crutch; He is our very life support. Without Him we would die; without Him we would perish; without Him we would be but grass for the mower.

So who do you say that Jesus is? He is a prophet, but He is more than a prophet—He is the very Word of God. He is a priest, but He is more than a priest—He is the Lamb that was slain. He is a king, but He is more than a king—He is the King of all kings; and at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is Lord over nature, He is Lord over demons, He is Lord over sickness and He is Lord over death. He is the Alpha and the Omega. The first and the last. The beginning and the end. He sits in the engine room and the caboose, traveling before us and behind us on this journey of life.

So be encouraged this morning; Jesus Christ exchanges His purity for our contamination. He takes our grime and gives us grace. He takes our filth and gives us faith. The God who justifies us in verse 44, will glorify us in verse 54. And the God who heals our disease in verse 44, will raise us from the dead in verse 54. And on that day, every tear will be wiped from every eye, and every sickness from every saint. And we will hold not only the hem of the garment of God, but with hands outstretched we will be embraced by the everlasting arms of the Almighty.