resurrection – The Everyday Prayer

Hope

Re:Verse passage – I Corinthians 15:3-20, 35-44, 50-57 (day six)

Hope does not make sense without the resurrection of the dead. The Gospel promises us victory over sin and death. If there is no resurrection (victory over death), nor is there victory over sin. As Paul writes, “we are left in our sins [without the resurrection].” So our hope in the Gospel looks forward; it moves beyond victory over sin to a future hope in our bodily resurrection, our victory over death. That’s where our Christian hope lies.

Yet, our hope doesn’t always find itself there, does it? We are often so short sighted. In the midst of our struggles, we rarely hope in the resurrection, or barely give it any thought. We hope for cures. Or pay raises. We hope for immediate justice. Or righted wrongs. Not Paul, his hope was in his future bodily resurrection; Jesus’ completed work. All other hope is uncertain(like defeating cancer), not so the resurrection of the dead.

So, be reminded, to give thought to the resurrection of the dead; as Jesus was raised, so you will be raised. Hope in it. It’s Jesus’ ultimate victory in your life.

Power

Easter Re:Verse reading–John 20:1-18 (day seven)

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

It is hard to imagine, but it is true; through His Spirit, God works on our behalf with the same power by which he raised Jesus from the dead. This is true now, as much as it is will be when God raises our own bodies from the grave. We have access to the sin-killing, fruit-bearing, life-sustaining Holy Spirit power right now!

Such sweet news!

If God is for us, who can be (or stand) against us? Romans 8:31

This doesn’t mean we try harder; it means we trust harder! We lean in on God, trusting the promises of God over the allure of sin and the pain of suffering. God is for you! Just like He was FOR Jesus in his resurrection, He is FOR you!

Re:Verse reading – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Resolute

Re: Verse reading–Mark 15:33-41; 16:1-8 (day six)

“…just as he told you.” Mark 16:17

It is no surprise to us, but Jesus did exactly what he said he would do. He followed through; he completed the task; he stuck to his word. He wasn’t all talk and no walk. He wasn’t all theory and no practice. He didn’t just flirt with redeeming the world (all those who would believe and call on his name); no, he actually redeemed the world.

This is helpful for us because it reminds us that the foundation of the Gospel is action. The Gospel was born in action, and thus gives birth to action for those who belief, affecting what we do by changing who we are. Jesus lived it, and so should we.

Hold On

Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 15 (day six)

Paul’s argument is clear, our bodily resurrection is certain because Jesus’ resurrection was certain. The Gospel is not mythology or fairytale, it is a spiritual and historical reality, and the resurrection is its cornerstone. So, never fear, hold on, “be steadfast, immovable;” there is no obstacle to great, not even death, that will not be undone by the power of the resurrection! That is also why we are not to be pitied, because the hardships (or “momentary light affliction”) we may face do not compare to the glory to come. So, hold on, our resurrection is coming!

Achan and the Cross

Re:Verse reading–Joshua 7, Mark 15:16-20, 24-40; Mark 16:1-8 day six)

Achan’s sin is catastrophic. Thirty-six people died, not including he and his family, as a result of his disobedience. Like a cancer it spread, and although it began with him, he could not control it or contain it. A whole people were left demoralized because of one man’s moment of greed. And it resulted in death.

Jesus went to the cross for Achan. Holy Week is a searing reminder that we are no better off than Achan. We are worthy of being stoned; we are worthy of the cross, and yet while we were still enemies of God Christ died for us. In the cross and resurrection we discover the cure for that uncontrollable, uncontainable cancer. And so we lament at the great cost of our sin, and yet we also rejoice knowing that it is finished!

He is risen!

Physical

Re: Verse reading–Romans 6 (day three)

“Do not let sin reign in your mortal body.” Sin is not just in your mind. It’s in your body. Yes, sin–that dimension of evil that we associate with secret desires and private thoughts and internal struggles–is also a very physical reality. The body is not just a marionette operating helplessly at the end of the strings that the mind controls. It has appetites and habits and ways that require little to no thought from your mind or direction from your will. The Lord not only intends to save your spirit; he intends to save your body as well. That’s what resurrection is all about. The old hymn says, “Take my hands…take my feet…take my voice…take my lips….” Will you confess the Lord as Lord of your body?

New life, new logic

Re: Verse reading–2 Corinthians 5:11-21; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Colossians 4:2-6 (day one)

With new life comes new logic. Christianity is a new way to think! The Apostles, who recorded the truths revealed in Christ, were bold to declare a revolutionary equation that came to the world after the cross and resurrection. 1) He died for all. 2) We should live for Him. 3) Therefore, we should live for all, including and especially lost people. (2 Corinthians 5:15) It’s missionary logic! Those who receive grace from God, are obligated to give it away. (Romans 1:14) “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11) How can we do otherwise? Did the first followers repeat this logic over and over? Did they write this new equation in their journals in an disciplined effort to “be transformed by the renewing of the mind”. Probably. Want to try it? Want to love Him with your mind? Say the words to yourself! Write them down! Repeat them every day! New life. . .new logic.

Peace

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 1:26-31; Romans 5:1-11 (day Six)

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “God is seeking worshippers who worship in Spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) We are those worshippers, and not of our own making, but God’s. In Jesus’ death we have forgiveness of sin for all time, but in the resurrected life of Jesus we find our righteousness. In other words God required more than forgiveness for us to be at “peace” with Him; He required a righteousness that forgiveness alone could not provide (Romans 4:25). God transferred the infinite and beautiful righteousness of His resurrected Son onto us, those who by faith rest in the Son. So our slate was not only wiped clean from past and future sin, but our sin was replaced with the righteousness of God’s Son! That jaw-dropping transfer gives us “peace” with God, giving us the privilege to come to God as worshippers.

And by the way, this is no tenuous peace, but a true peace. It is not like King Saul, who changed his relationship with David on a dime. David never knew what Saul he would encounter. An angry Saul? Friendly? Ally? Enemy? Not so with God. The resurrected life of Jesus affords us true everlasting peace with God; we can “boldly approach the throne of grace!” (Hebrews 4:16) God made that happen; He sought after you and made a way!