Walking beyond the cross - Reflection #6


Walking beyond the cross
Reflection #6
HE’S (WE’RE) NOT DEAD

"having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Col. 2:12)

Saturday must have been a dismal day for the disciples.  Three years wasted…Kingdom aspirations down the drain…embarrassment… depression… hopelessness…not wanting to show their faces.  But, everything changed Sunday…more than they could have imagined. 

It wasn’t that the resurrection saved face.  And, it wasn’t that the resurrection provided them with the grit and determination to show the world that they were right all along.  Instead, the resurrection provided life – resurrected-power life.   

Co-resurrection is the essence of Easter.  He’s been resurrected…I’ve been resurrected.  He’s been raised and seated…I’ve been raised and seated with him.  He’s conquered death…death has lost it’s sting in me.  He overcame the corruption of death…the corruption of death has been overcome in me.   He was raised in power…I have the resurrected power. 

The disciples had no idea.  And, oftentimes I live like I have no idea.  Death feels more real than resurrection.  The corruption of sin feels more real than reigning righteousness.  Impotence feels more real than power.  The chair I’m sitting on feels more real than being seated with Christ. 

God, open my eyes to see the realities of the resurrection – not only that you have been raised, but that I have been raised.  Give me faith when it is hard to believe.  When death feels more natural, give me a hunger for life.  When this world feels like home, make me feel homesick for heaven.   Amen.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 46 - A Prayer for Ukraine

Image
  God, as I read the words of this psalm and as I listen to this song, I can’t help but think again of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. I can’t imagine the trauma that they face daily. I can’t imagine the fear. I can’t imagine the tears and the despair as they face the destruction of all they’ve known - buildings destroyed, cars burned, children kidnapped, women raped, lives taken. So, I pray Psalm 46 for and with them. God, as their mountains crumble and their waters foam and as their earth gives way, be their refuge; be present as their help; be their strength (v. 1-3). God, remind the Ukrainian believers that you are seated on your throne and that while Putin rages, the earth can and will melt with a simple utterance of your voice (v. 6). God, just say the word. God, destroy the destroyer. You are the one who makes wars cease - you break the bow, and you burn the chariots (or tanks) with fire (v. 8-9). I pray that in their turmoil, you will still the hearts of the Ukrainian...
Read more

Psalm 32 - The godly sinner

Image
  God, this psalm is so incredibly freeing - and not for the obvious reasons. I do praise you for the forgiveness it pronounces. But, there is more being declared in this psalm - liberating truths that led Paul to use a portion of it in Romans 4. God, this psalm uses words I wouldn't expect from a man who has just greatly sinned. Unlike Psalm 51, we don't know for sure that this psalm was written after his affair and murder. Nonetheless, David uses words that bring surprising clarity where maybe there's been misunderstanding. Up to this point in the Psalter, David has used the word "righteous" about people (v. 11) eight times. He's used the word "upright" (v. 11) three times. And he's used the word "godly" (v. 6) seven times. In each of these times, one could walk away with the impression that David was talking about moral superiority in contrast to the wicked. For example, the pillar psalm of Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous and the wi...
Read more

Psalm 45 - the meek husband

Image
  God, as I meditate on this psalm and pick up my pen to write, I don't feel like the author of this psalm feels. His heart was overflowing with joy, and his tongue was like a scribe's pen ready to write (v. 1). Why? Because this is a wedding psalm. It's a time for celebration, speeches, dancing, love, and emotions. Who doesn't love a good wedding? But God, my heart isn't there this morning. Instead of playing a major key, my heart is playing in a minor key. I'm still grieving the loss of my mom from 3 weeks ago. I still feel a heaviness, and I still feel tired. So, as I still have the vivid picture in my mind of my dad holding my mom for the last time after holding her for 61 years of marriage, it's hard for me to enter into the joy of new love, life, and celebration. But Jesus, I thank you that there is hope in this psalm, even for the weary. Ultimately, Jesus, this psalm is about you. You are the King. You are the bridegroom. You are the one whose garmen...
Read more