He Is Risen!

Christ is Risen - Isaiah 53 and all 4 Gospels

Pastor Gus Rich

Easter Sunday April 5th, 2026

The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands at the very center of the Christian faith. It is not an isolated event, but the fulfillment of what God had already revealed through the Scriptures. Long before the empty tomb, the Lord spoke through the prophets and the psalmists, pointing forward to both the suffering and the victory of His Son.

In Isaiah 53 we are given a clear picture of the suffering Servant. He is despised, rejected, pierced, and crushed for the iniquities of His people. Verse 10 tells us that it was the will of the Lord to crush Him, and yet it does not end in death. Isaiah writes that “He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days.” This points beyond the grave. Though He is cut off from the land of the living, He lives again. The resurrection is not an afterthought. It is the very plan of God, ensuring that the sacrifice for sin is accepted and that the Servant lives to intercede for His people.

Psalm 22 echoes this same pattern. It begins with the cry of anguish, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” words that Jesus Himself spoke on the cross. The psalm describes suffering in striking detail: pierced hands and feet, divided garments, mocking enemies. Yet the psalm does not end in defeat. It turns to victory and proclamation. “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord.” The suffering one is delivered, and through that deliverance, the nations are brought to worship. This movement from suffering to triumph points directly to the resurrection, where death is not the end but the doorway to glory.

When we come to the four Gospels, we see these promises fulfilled in history. Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate, truly dies, and is buried. On the third day, the tomb is empty. In Matthew, the angel declares, “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” In Mark, the women are told to go and tell the disciples that He goes before them. In Luke, the risen Christ walks with His followers and opens the Scriptures to them, showing that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and then enter His glory. In John, Jesus appears to His disciples and declares peace, even inviting Thomas to see and believe.

The resurrection is the Father’s declaration that the work of Christ is finished and accepted. The wrath described in Isaiah 53 has been fully satisfied. The suffering described in Psalm 22 has given way to victory. Sin has been paid for, death has been conquered, and righteousness is secured for all who trust in Him.

Because Christ lives, those who belong to Him have a living hope. His resurrection guarantees not only our justification, but also our future resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in His people, bringing them from death to life.

The testimony of Scripture is unified and clear. From prophecy to fulfillment, God has revealed His plan to save sinners through the death and resurrection of His Son. This is not merely a message to admire, but one to believe. Christ died for sins and rose again, and all who repent and trust in Him will share in His life.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul's day. Please visit us here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough.

Every day is a blessed gift, and one we shouldn't waste.  Even the thief on the cross, given his chance, recognized Jesus for who He is and surrendered to Him and for that he dwells with Christ in paradise.  We encourage you today to turn to Jesus, for forgiveness is in Him alone, the payment of our sin debt is in Him alone...resurrection is in Christ alone.  We love you friends and encourage you to contact us for any questions you may have, or even how we can help you in your walk with Christ.

Until we meet again, let us celebrate this Easter with humility and awe in what Christ did to save sinners such as we and let us go serve our King!

FRF Family