War, Jesus’ resurrection, and five facts to remember this Easter*

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started February 24 and continues unabated. And the longer it goes, the more the world sees the capacity for evil that has been hiding behind the Iron Curtain, just waiting for the chance to pounce.

Thousands of people have died, millions have become refugees, and tensions are rising between the world’s most powerful militaries. At home our economy is unstable, and our leaders are wringing their hands and wiping their brows and seem uncertain about to do next.

Sounds pretty bad, right?

And it’s not as if you didn’t already have stress. The impact of the war on this side of the world just adds to your daily strains and problems. Rising prices, supply shortages, and our own crisis at the southern border. When taken together, you might even feel like hope is nearly lost.

Aren’t you glad it’s Easter?

A biblical worldview is grounded in the resurrection of Christ. Easter reminds us that God is in charge, and that His power is greater than any stress or conflict we might experience in this life (Prov. 19:21).

So as the world seems to be imploding, there is no better time than now to celebrate Easter. Why? Remember these five facts:

Easter reminds us that war is a result of our sinful condition.

War and killing is a result of sin (Gen. 4:8). The reason a nation needs a military, and a community needs law enforcement, is that we are sinners.

God’s people are called to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9), but sometimes wars are the only way to curtail the advance of sin in this world (Rom. 13:4). So, Solomon writes, “There is . . . a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace” (Eccl. 3:8).

Jesus was crucified for the forgiveness of our sins, and by His crucifixion and resurrection He also claimed victory over Satan and the dominion of darkness (1 John 3:8). 

The resurrection of Christ is His victory in a war He fought and won for us, a war against sin and death (Rom. 4:25, 6:8-11).  The resurrection confirms that we can be victorious in our battle against sin in this life, and ultimately in the life to come (Phil. 3:10, 1 Cor. 15:57).

Easter reminds us that every war confirms spiritual warfare.

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death” (Heb. 2:14-15).

Satan instigates war and violence. He wants death and destruction, and he will stop at nothing to get it (Gen. 3:4, John 8:44). Satan motivates tyrants and dictators to take what doesn’t belong to them, to lie to their own people, and to slaughter innocent civilians to get what they want (Matt. 2:16-18).

Remember that an unseen war is being waged around us all the time (Eph. 6:12, 2 Cor. 10:4). The wars that we see confirm the war we do not see.

But the crucifixion of Christ defeated Satan, and he knows it (Col. 2:14-15, Rom. 16:20). And the resurrection of Christ is the victory flag waved in the face of history’s worst tyrant, announcing his ultimate defeat.

Every time we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we remind Satan of his defeat. The victory of God’s grace and peace will once and for all consign the serpent to his fate, just as God promised (Gen. 3:15, Rev. 12:9).

Easter reminds us that God is more powerful than anything we face in this life.

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).

How could Jesus make that promise unless He knew that He would live again?

You already have stress and struggles in your life. And it doesn’t help that the war in Ukraine will reverberate around the world and into your wallet.

So, Jesus reminds us to celebrate the power of the resurrection to overcome all evil, heartache, despair, and stress. Christ has already defeated any problem you might face (Rom. 8:31, 37). And there is no human army stronger than the power of God (Zech. 4:6).

Easter reminds us that we can overcome sin in our lives today.

“Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:34, 37).

Life is full of danger, temptation, trial, squabbles, crises, and calamity. And for Christians, you can add persecution (Rom. 8:35). “But in all these things,” Paul says, “we are more than conquerors.” The phrase means something like “super-conquerors.” Christians enjoy a triumph over sin and death that outshines the victories of even the greatest earthly armies.

Why? Two reasons. Because Jesus is alive, having “been raised” from the dead by the Father, and because, since He is alive, He intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25) .

The next time you share prayer requests at church, remember that Jesus is already interceding for you. You are striving in a battle He has already won.

The resurrection of Christ proves that through the power of God we can overcome evil in our own lives. We can defeat temptation and sin, and we are free of sin and death. Jesus already won that war for us, and those who trust Christ enjoy freedom from sin and death (Rom. 6:4, Gal. 5:16).

Easter reminds us that one day all wars will end.

Because Jesus is alive, and He has already defeated Satan, sin, and death, one day all war will end, and a new creation will be ushered in.

Eyes up. Look ahead to the completion of God’s plan.

“He will settle disputes among the nations and provide arbitration for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives.

Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war” (Is. 2:4).

How do we know that? Because we know that our living Lord is coming back. The return of Christ hinges on the resurrection of Christ. The first time around, He won the battle against sin and death. The second time, He will come “to save those who eagerly” wait for Him (Heb. 9:28).

So, this year, when you celebrate Easter, celebrate God’s reminder that though this world is a mess and though war rages on, God has already won the biggest war. He has defeated sin and death.

And when you celebrate Easter, remember that God knows every battle you face, and He has already defeated every enemy you fear.

Now, aren’t you glad it’s Easter?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

1 Peter 1:3

*First written for my church family, the First Baptist Church of Shallotte