No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him – the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. (Ps 49:7-8,15)
Sin brought death into the world, and no man can do anything to change that. We have sinned and we will die. We do not have the power or the righteousness to defeat death on our own. But God! I love those two words. He is the answer to all our predicaments. I cannot defeat death. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself.
This much was known to the psalmist in ancient days. He looked ahead to a redemption he knew was coming but he could not see how or by whom. How blessed we are to be born into these latter days! We know the joy of a daily walk with Jesus, our Blessed Redeemer. He paid the debt I could not pay. The blood of Christ is sufficient for all our sins. Lord, thank you for the great joy of knowing you, of experiencing your presence every day. Thank you that I enjoy now the eternal life of which the psalmist could only dream. Even though my body will one day die, death will never separate me from you, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
Showing posts with label resurrection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resurrection. Show all posts
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Sunday, April 24, 2011
He Has Risen!
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (Lk 24:5-6)
The women who went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus were looking for a dead man, and if they had found him we would never have heard about it. Generally speaking dead people stay put. But Jesus is different. Everybody thought they knew that. Of course he’s different! He is the Messiah – a miracle worker and a prophet. But then he died, and it wasn’t supposed to end like that. These women were filled with sorrow because they loved Jesus. But they expected to find him there that morning, in the cemetery with the other dead people. Until that moment they didn't understand how different he is. Until they saw the empty tomb and heard the angels proclaim, “He has risen!”
He has risen! This morning that wonderful cry will ring out from the lips of two billion Christians. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, incarnate in human flesh, died for our sins but he didn’t stay dead! The tomb is empty. You won’t find him at the cemetery. The moment that might have been forgotten centuries ago is instead celebrated as the most singular event in human history. He lives! Our Savior lives! Alleluia!
The women who went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus were looking for a dead man, and if they had found him we would never have heard about it. Generally speaking dead people stay put. But Jesus is different. Everybody thought they knew that. Of course he’s different! He is the Messiah – a miracle worker and a prophet. But then he died, and it wasn’t supposed to end like that. These women were filled with sorrow because they loved Jesus. But they expected to find him there that morning, in the cemetery with the other dead people. Until that moment they didn't understand how different he is. Until they saw the empty tomb and heard the angels proclaim, “He has risen!”
He has risen! This morning that wonderful cry will ring out from the lips of two billion Christians. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, incarnate in human flesh, died for our sins but he didn’t stay dead! The tomb is empty. You won’t find him at the cemetery. The moment that might have been forgotten centuries ago is instead celebrated as the most singular event in human history. He lives! Our Savior lives! Alleluia!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Sin of the Sadducees
Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” (Mt 22:29)
The Sadducees tried to trip up Jesus with a tricky question about the resurrection, but Jesus would have none of it. He rebuked them because they knew neither God nor his word. The funny thing is, the specific question they asked is one that I don’t think any Bible scholars would know the answer to today if Jesus’ answer had not been recorded here in Scripture. So why was he all over them? Because he could see their hearts. The cynical, worldly Sadducees didn’t even believe in the resurrection; they just wanted to make Jesus look foolish. So Jesus goes straight to the heart of their issue: “You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
So my first thought when I read that is, stupid Sadducees! You tell ‘em, Jesus. But I have to stop and ask myself, do I really know the Scriptures and the power of God? And I think the answer is, much less than I like to think. Do I live my life like someone who believes in a God who raises people from the dead? Do I experience the power of God in my life? Do I expect God to move powerfully in my life? If I had really taken the Scriptures to heart I would. I think I talk like a disciple but live like a Sadducee. Lord, help me to expect great things. Help me to have faith that you will act in a mighty way. You are the God who raises men from the dead! You rose from the dead! No question is too hard for you and no problem too great. Remind me of that when I falter. Keep me from the sin of the Sadducees.
The Sadducees tried to trip up Jesus with a tricky question about the resurrection, but Jesus would have none of it. He rebuked them because they knew neither God nor his word. The funny thing is, the specific question they asked is one that I don’t think any Bible scholars would know the answer to today if Jesus’ answer had not been recorded here in Scripture. So why was he all over them? Because he could see their hearts. The cynical, worldly Sadducees didn’t even believe in the resurrection; they just wanted to make Jesus look foolish. So Jesus goes straight to the heart of their issue: “You do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.”
So my first thought when I read that is, stupid Sadducees! You tell ‘em, Jesus. But I have to stop and ask myself, do I really know the Scriptures and the power of God? And I think the answer is, much less than I like to think. Do I live my life like someone who believes in a God who raises people from the dead? Do I experience the power of God in my life? Do I expect God to move powerfully in my life? If I had really taken the Scriptures to heart I would. I think I talk like a disciple but live like a Sadducee. Lord, help me to expect great things. Help me to have faith that you will act in a mighty way. You are the God who raises men from the dead! You rose from the dead! No question is too hard for you and no problem too great. Remind me of that when I falter. Keep me from the sin of the Sadducees.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Miracle of New Life
Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? (Acts 26:8)
When we think about it, we realize that if God exists it is no problem for him to raise the dead. But we are deceived by the ordinariness of our daily lives. I’ve never seen anyone raised from the dead. Yesterday was much like today and tomorrow promises to be just the same. We think “everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet 3:4) A subtle doubt creeps into our hearts. The enemy taunts us: “Did God really say...” (Gen 3:1) To believe in miracles I must see with the eyes of faith. I must look at what is eternal, not temporal. (2 Cor 4:18)
When we think about it, we realize that if God exists it is no problem for him to raise the dead. But we are deceived by the ordinariness of our daily lives. I’ve never seen anyone raised from the dead. Yesterday was much like today and tomorrow promises to be just the same. We think “everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet 3:4) A subtle doubt creeps into our hearts. The enemy taunts us: “Did God really say...” (Gen 3:1) To believe in miracles I must see with the eyes of faith. I must look at what is eternal, not temporal. (2 Cor 4:18)
Lord, I know that you are real, and that you are a worker of miracles. In my own heart I have experienced the miracle of salvation. Forgive me when I begin to think pessimistically about the people I am praying for. You created the universe, and you can move the hearts of the lost. Turn their hearts to you. As you indwell them and sanctify them may I once again see death overcome by life. Your life. Amen.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Take Off the Grave Clothes!
Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out…Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (Jn 11:43-44)
What power there is in the voice of God! It gives me goose bumps to think about the voice of Jesus calling, “Lazarus, come out!” The authority and power, the confidence of command. It is just the same miraculous power by which we have gone from death to life, made new in Christ. God works this same miracle of resurrection every time a sinner receives salvation. And then he turns to us and says, in the same voice of command, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” When we are first reborn we still carry about on our person the trappings of death. The process of removing these is the process of sanctification. And our role in this as fellow believers is disciple-making. God never intended that solitary new believers go home to be sanctified in isolation. Too often, when the Body of Christ falls down on the job, sanctification never happens in the life of a believer. We must obey the Lord’s command to “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
What power there is in the voice of God! It gives me goose bumps to think about the voice of Jesus calling, “Lazarus, come out!” The authority and power, the confidence of command. It is just the same miraculous power by which we have gone from death to life, made new in Christ. God works this same miracle of resurrection every time a sinner receives salvation. And then he turns to us and says, in the same voice of command, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” When we are first reborn we still carry about on our person the trappings of death. The process of removing these is the process of sanctification. And our role in this as fellow believers is disciple-making. God never intended that solitary new believers go home to be sanctified in isolation. Too often, when the Body of Christ falls down on the job, sanctification never happens in the life of a believer. We must obey the Lord’s command to “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Power of His Resurrection
[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (Phil 3:10 AMP)
I’ve been thinking about “the power that outflows from His resurrection.” What power is that? What does it do in my life? I decided it is the power that transforms and enables. I want to be different than I am, and I want to do the work of his Kingdom. By the redeeming power of his death and resurrection the Holy Spirit comes into me, renews (recreates) me, and works through me to accomplish his will and fulfill his plan. As I surrender (which must necessarily include repentance), he performs.
I’ve been thinking about “the power that outflows from His resurrection.” What power is that? What does it do in my life? I decided it is the power that transforms and enables. I want to be different than I am, and I want to do the work of his Kingdom. By the redeeming power of his death and resurrection the Holy Spirit comes into me, renews (recreates) me, and works through me to accomplish his will and fulfill his plan. As I surrender (which must necessarily include repentance), he performs.
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