Pastor Kent Christmas | The Power of Calvary & The Resurrection | May 27, 2026
The Power of Calvary and the Resurrection: Living on the Right Side of the Cross
Every true believer in Christ has heard about the cross and the resurrection, but few have stopped to truly ask themselves: “Which side of the cross am I living on?” The power of Calvary and the resurrection didn’t just happen centuries ago—they have enduring meaning for each of us today. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to live not in the shadow of Calvary, haunted by fear and uncertainty, but in the glorious light and power of the resurrected Christ.
The Difference Between Pre-Calvary and Post-Resurrection Living
When we read the Gospels, we witness the journey of the disciples as they walked with Jesus. They loved Him deeply and their lives changed from the moment He called them. Still, while they were saved through their faith and commitment, they hadn’t experienced the new birth in the way it is available to us today. Why? Because the ultimate debt for sin had not yet been paid—the Lamb had not yet been slain. Their salvation was on credit, so to speak, awaiting the completed work on the cross and the victory of the resurrection.
After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended to the Father, He made a way for humanity to be truly born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Before this, the disciples operated under the authority delegated to them by Jesus, but not yet from their own indwelling power. What unfolded after the resurrection changed everything—not only for them, but for every believer for generations to come.
Why Many Christians Still Live Like It’s Pre-Calvary
Have you ever wondered why Christians, even today, sometimes seem burdened with fear, unbelief, and a weak faith? It’s because many still live on the wrong side of the cross. They know Jesus as Savior and love Him, but live as if the full victory of Calvary has yet to touch their hearts.
The disciples were a mirror of this before the resurrection. Time and again, Jesus tried to explain the necessity of His death, yet it unsettled them deeply. When Jesus told Peter about His coming sacrifice, Peter pushed back so forcefully that Jesus recognized the influence of fear and even addressed the spirit behind Peter’s words: “Get behind me, Satan.” They did not want to believe their Rabbi would die; the prospect filled them with terror and confusion. It was only after the resurrection that they began to truly understand His Kingdom and power.
Storms, Fear, and Unbelief: The Evidence of Pre-Calvary Living
Consider the story in Mark chapter 4 when Jesus and His disciples were in a boat and a sudden storm swept over them. Despite Jesus being right beside them, they yielded to panic and believed they were doomed. Jesus, perfectly at rest, revealed something profound: true authority over the storms of life is only available to those who can rest in God despite the chaos around them.
Many of us experience storms—unexpected trials, health crises, relational turmoil. In these moments, do we react in fear, or do we rest in God’s promises, knowing that no storm is greater than His power? Until we move from pre-Calvary thinking to resurrection living, we remain at the mercy of every wind and wave.
The Shift After the Resurrection: The Promise Fulfilled
After Christ’s resurrection, He instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for “the promise of the Father”—the Holy Spirit. He did not tell them to wait until they were saved; salvation, through faith, had already come. He told them to wait for power. This promise wasn’t just to get them to heaven but to clothe them with divine authority and favor for victorious living on earth.
The Old Testament saints looked forward to this promise but did not receive it in their lifetimes. The coming of the Holy Spirit after the resurrection marked a new era—believers are no longer just recipients of mercy, surviving on spiritual credit, but are granted favor and power to overcome every obstacle.
How the Spiritual Atmosphere Changed After the Resurrection
Before the resurrection, religious leaders felt no fear in arresting Jesus. The high priests and council orchestrated His capture in Gethsemane, at the very place where Jesus was closest to His Father in prayer. They operated with boldness and authority, seemingly in control of the situation. But after the resurrection, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
When reports of the empty tomb reached the chief priests, instead of acting with confidence, they reacted with panic and bribery, attempting to cover up the miracle. No longer did they think about re-arresting or harming Jesus. Instead, they were compelled to suppress the truth, fearful of what the resurrected Christ meant for their plans and authority.
Meanwhile, the disciples—who had once fled in fear and hidden away—emerged with unstoppable courage. They preached publicly in the very city where they had once trembled for their lives, declaring the good news of Jesus and healing the sick in His name. In Acts, we’re told that they even rejoiced for being counted worthy to suffer for His name, embracing persecution with unshakeable faith.
Calvary: The End of the Old, the Birth of the New
Calvary was more than the punishment of sin; it was the death of the old, fallen human nature and the creation of a brand new life in Christ. God’s goal wasn’t to repair or improve the old man, but to make all things new. Yet, many believers today remain haunted by anxiety, constantly worried about what the devil is doing, lacking boldness and joy. Why? Because they’ve not yet embraced the fullness of the resurrection and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
The Invitation to Resurrection Living
God’s desire for every believer isn’t just forgiveness but transformation. He wants to fill His children with power, joy, and confidence. The words of the prophet ring true: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every
