This Sunday we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. So much happened at Calvary's cross over two thousand years ago; but ultimately, Jesus overcame sin and death so that we might experience the power of forgiveness. And the best part is, this power is available to all of us today, the "same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19–20). This power is ours because Jesus Christ rose from the tomb on that first Easter morning!
You may have made mistakes and done things that you're not proud of, and you may feel as though you're under a verdict of guilt, but we have good news today—God overrules! In our legal system, a court will rule on a case and give their verdict. But just because you have that verdict doesn't mean it's final. You can appeal the case to a higher court because they have more authority and can overrule the lower court decision. Ultimately, if the appeal goes all the way to the highest authority, the Supreme Court, they can overrule and nullify all the lower court rulings. In our case, there is a higher court that has authority over a guilty verdict. Our God is the Most High God who can overrule any decision. He's the Supreme Court all by Himself.
Two thousand years ago, Jesus hung on a cross. He was mocked by soldiers, beaten, ridiculed. It looked like it was over. All of hell was rejoicing. They had finally defeated Him. But in the heavens, God didn't panic. He didn't say, "What happened? My plan didn't work out." He simply declared, "Overruled!" The lower court said Jesus was defeated, but the highest court said, "I don't think so." On the third day, Jesus came out of the grave and said, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:18). If God can overrule death, the grave, and all the forces of darkness, surely He can overrule any guilt from your past with a verdict of "Forgiven!"
Nothing is more amazing or significant than the power displayed at the resurrection. This is what separates our faith from any other on earth. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins on the cross. He lived a perfect and sinless life and gave it as a sacrifice for your sins and mine. And when all hope seemed to be gone, He miraculously came to life again. What this means is: When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are completely forgiven...for anything...for everything...forever!
So we have good news for you today. No matter where you are in life, what problems you may struggle with, no matter what you have done in the past, or what someone else has done to you, Jesus is able to wipe the slate clean. You can experience that same power of the resurrection—the power to be forgiven and to forgive. Jesus is alive, and He wants to live in and through you today. God has overruled! That is what Easter is all about.