God raised Him up.

Acts 2:22-24, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

We see both the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man in that Jesus was crucified according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. Even so, those who crucified Him did so in a lawless fashion, and are responsible as well. But the grave could not contain Him, and the mighty power of God raised Him from the dead. And by His grace He both asked from the cross forgiveness for those who crucified Him and now invites them to receive His new life and become His witnesses. How amazing is His grace?

We thank You for raising us up from the dead in Christ! Grant us the power of Your Spirit to be Your witnesses in our own time.

ESV Lectionary