“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his
holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted
when he raised Christ from the dead…” Ephesians 1:18–20a (NIV)
One song that still sticks with me (now MANY years old) is “The Same Power” by Jeremy Camp. It takes Paul’s words from Ephesians and brings them to life with a powerful message: The same power that raised Jesus from the grave on Easter is alive in us.
Let that sink in for a moment.
As we journey through Holy Week—beginning with the joy of Palm Sunday, walking through the sorrow of the cross, and arriving at the glory of Easter morning—we’re invited to slow down and truly enter the story. Don’t rush from celebration to celebration. Spend time at the Last Supper with Jesus. Stand at the foot of the cross with the disciples—especially the women who stayed, unafraid. Visit the tomb where they laid his body.
Why? Because without the weight of death, we can’t fully grasp the power of resurrection.
And here’s the incredible truth: that same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is alive and working in you and me. It’s not just about forgiveness—it’s about new life, restoration, and the promise that we, too, will be raised when Christ returns.
“Christ is risen, and you, O death, are annihilated! Christ is risen, and the evil ones are cast down! Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice! Christ is risen, and life is liberated!” — St. John Chrysostom, Paschal Homily
So this week, don’t just celebrate Easter—live it. Live in the power of the risen Christ. Share that hope with someone who needs to hear it—maybe for the first time, or maybe for the first time in a long time. Invite them into worship. Share your story. Be ready to speak about the hope you carry, because it’s not just a memory—it’s the power of God, alive in you.
Blessings,
Steve
