By Pastor Ryan Stockstrom

Harvest Church

He is risen!  This is the declaration that stands at the very center of the Christian faith. Easter is not simply a holiday or a tradition—it is the defining moment of history, when Jesus Christ defeated sin, death, and the grave.  

The resurrection is not only an event to acknowledge—it is a truth that demands a response. At the heart of the resurrection is the reality of redemption. To redeem means to buy back— to regain possession through payment. This is what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. Humanity, separated from God, was bought back through the sacrifice of Christ.

A powerful picture of this is found in Scripture, where Jesus is described as the Lamb who was slain yet stands alive. He alone is worthy because He gave His life to redeem people from every nation, tribe, and language. His resurrection confirms that the price has been fully paid. The question then becomes: what exactly has been redeemed?

First, humanity has been redeemed from itself!  From the beginning, people have wrestled with pride—the belief that life can be lived apart from God. We trust in our own human understanding, progress, and ability as the ultimate source of meaning and direction. Yet even with advancements in knowledge and technology, there remains a deep sense that something is missing.

Across cultures and throughout history, people have consistently reached for something beyond themselves. This longing points to a deeper truth: human beings were created for a relationship with God!

When that connection is absent, life feels incomplete. No amount of success, knowledge, or progress can fully satisfy the deeper longing of the human heart. There is a desire for meaning, purpose, and connection that cannot be explained by the physical world alone.

The resurrection declares that this longing is not misplaced. Jesus came to restore what was lost—to bring people back into relationship with their Creator.

Second, humanity has been redeemed from sin, death, and hell.

Sin is a universal reality. It is seen in thoughts, actions, and attitudes that go against God’s design. It damages lives, breaks relationships, and ultimately separates people from God.

Sin is not a small issue. It has serious consequences. 

In one instance, when a paralyzed man was brought to Him, the first thing Jesus did was forgive the man’s sins—this revealed a deeper truth: spiritual restoration is our greatest need. Through His death, Jesus paid the penalty for sin. Through His resurrection, He defeated death. Because of this, separation from God does not have to be the final outcome. What once led inevitably to death has now been overcome.

The resurrection declares victory. Death has been swallowed up. The power of sin has been broken. But redemption is not only about what people are saved from—it is also about what they are saved for.

Humanity has been redeemed for abundant life, eternal life, and participation in God’s kingdom. Those who are redeemed are not only forgiven; they are restored!  They are brought into relationship with God and given a new identity. Scripture describes them as children of God, people who belong to Him!

This new life is both future and present. In the future, there is the promise of a restored world—one without pain, suffering, or death. A place where all that is broken is made new.

But this life also begins now. Through faith in Jesus, we begin to experience connection with God through the Holy Spirit. This brings hope, peace, and purpose. It changes our outlook and how we live.  While perfection is not immediate, transformation begins. Old patterns can be broken and new life can begin to take root. 

A simple illustration of this is found in a moment after the resurrection. The disciples went fishing but caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. When they obeyed, everything changed—they were unable to haul in the catch because it was so large.

In the same way, many live life according to their own understanding and find themselves empty and frustrated.
The invitation of Jesus is to live differently—to follow His way.  When we choose to follow Him in life, our ‘nets’ will overflow as well.

But here’s the reality: A gift, no matter how valuable, must be accepted, in order to be experienced. If someone were given a certificate worth a great sum, it would only have value once it was redeemed.  But Jesus has already paid the price! His death and resurrection have secured forgiveness, freedom, and new life. But this redemption is not forced upon anyone. It must be received.

The response is simple: believe and receive the gift that God has given us in Jesus’s death and resurrection.

John 1:12-13  says  “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (NIV)  This is not earned through effort or achievement—it is given through faith in what Jesus had done.

Easter is an invitation. An invitation to believe that Jesus is alive. An invitation to receive forgiveness and new life. An invitation to step into redemption.

He is risen—and that changes everything.  Are you ready?

If you’d like to hear more and worship together, we’d love to have you join us at Harvest Church this Easter at 8:30am and 10:00am. 
-Pastor Ryan