Risen!

Risen!

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6 KJV

The Context:

Today's account is from the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The devil had done his worst, thinking he could sink our eternal hope by the death of Christ, but then God sealed the eternal by raising Jesus from the dead. Is there anything at all in my life that is dead now but needs to rise? The key lies in that finished work of Jesus in the cross. 

It is also instructive to put today's extract too in its context. Jesus had risen; all who had tried to stop him had been defeated, but the women were at his tomb looking for him. The words of the angel are quoted above, but read the words just before it: But the angel said to the women, Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. That was the expectation of the women, but it was not the promise of God for his son. It does not matter what the world has taught me to believe or expect; it matters what the plan of God is for my life. It does not matter how long my life may have been in the tomb, down and out; it only matters what God says about my life. The past may look like a done crucifixion, but there is a rising up that God is bringing about. 

The Message:

What is my expectation? My pursuits must begin to align with my expectations. I cannot be looking for the living among the dead. I cannot expect God to intervene in my life if I will not take steps that line up with my expectations. What are the things I am trusting God for? I have to be sure that I am looking in the right place and in the right manner. There is a place where God will not be found, and it is any place where doubt and fear have NOT been surrendered to God. You have a sure word from God that He is alive and if death could not contain or hold him, then there is nothing else he cannot conquer. 

Jesus is no longer in the grave, and all that I need for life and Godliness are to be found in him who lives. The evidence of his resurrection was presented to the women, who were asked to come and see where he lay. My eyes must see and testify of the power of the risen Lord. My life must be a public testimony of the impact the risen Lord can have. 

The Response:

When I have personally experienced the power of the risen Lord, it will be unfair to keep it to myself. Just as the women in those days were told to go and tell the other disciples what they had heard and seen, I am also told to do the same today. Does my life speak to the reality of the life of Jesus? Am I all about the ceremony and season of Easter, without any personal encounter? Am I all about optics and how it looks, without any imprint of the life of Christ in me? I must be careful about doing the usual at seasons like these. It is easy to get caught with pursuing what looks good at the expense of who really matters. May this season be another reminder to get my heart right, so that I can enjoy the benefits and blessings of the resurrection, both down here on earth and in eternity with the risen Lord. His time of favour is here.