He Is Risen!

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith—but it’s easy to move past it without fully taking in what it means. In this episode of FaithFuel, Bob Shaw walks through the weight of the cross and the reality of the empty tomb.

Anchored in 1 Corinthians 15:17, this devotional reminds us that the resurrection is not just a moment in history—it is the foundation of our faith. Because Jesus is alive, sin is defeated, death is overcome, and our hope is secure.

Transcript

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He is risen. We say it, but do we really feel the full weight of it? I'm Bob Shaw, and this is Faith Fuel. We've heard this story so many times. The cross, the tomb, the empty grave. And because it's so familiar, it's easy to move past it without really stopping to think about what actually happened. But if you go back to that moment, it didn't feel like victory. It felt like everything had fallen apart. Jesus had been arrested. He was beaten by soldiers, mocked, spit on, a crown of thorns pressed onto his head. They stripped him down and humiliated him in front of a crowd. Then they forced him to carry the cross through the streets. By the time he reached the place of crucifixion, he was already physically exhausted. They nailed his hands and his feet to the wood, and then they lifted that cross into place and left him there, struggling to breathe, in pain, rejected alone. And the people who had followed him watched it all happen. From their perspective, it was game over. Hope was gone. Everything they thought they understood had just collapsed. But the story didn't end there, did it? 1 Corinthians 15 17 says, And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still guilty of your sins. That's how central the resurrection is. Without it, there is no forgiveness, no victory over sin, no real hope. But Jesus didn't stay in the tomb. Luke 24, six says, He isn't here, he is risen from the dead, which confirmed that sin and death did not win. The cross was no longer the end. It was the beginning of something new. Because Jesus rose from the dead, sin was defeated, death was overcome, and everything he said about himself was proven true. This isn't just a story we remember. It's the foundation of our faith. You don't follow a teacher who lived and died. You follow a Savior who's alive. And because he lives, your faith is not empty. Your sin is forgiven, your future is secure, and your hope is real, no matter what you're facing today. Ah Lord, when we think about what Jesus went through, it's hard to fully take in the suffering, the rejection, the cross, and yet he chose to go through all of it for us. Thank you that the story didn't end there. Thank you that the tomb is empty and that Jesus is alive. Help us not rush past that truth. Let it settle in our hearts in a real way, and remind us that because He lives, we have hope that doesn't fade. In Jesus' name. Amen. If this stirred something in your heart today, please share it with someone and remind them of what Jesus has done. And follow the Faith Fuel with Bob Shaw podcast wherever you listen for encouragement rooted in God's Word for everyday life. Until next time, He is risen. Peace and joy.