PRAYER + PRAISE
He is Risen!
- Adam Cole // April 14, 2009
5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" —Luke 24:5-7
It seemed unfeasible that this miracle worker, Jesus, a seemingly divine representation of humanity yet human nonetheless, could be raised from the dead.
As impossible as it may have seemed, it happened. With His tomb heavily guarded day and night, the stone that sealed the tomb - said to be excruciatingly heavy - was rolled away. Inside was no trace of a body except for His linen cloth left behind.
Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene and another Mary, who faithfully returned to the tomb to anoint it with spices. Then, He went to two followers walking on the road to Emmaus; and, finally, He appeared before the 11 disciples to affirm that He was indeed the Christ, the risen Lord.
We read in Matthew 28:17 - When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted - and we see the choice that stands before us...stands before all humanity: believe and worship Him or doubt. Thomas (John 20) had to see the nail imprint in His hands and touch His sides before he believed, but once Thomas did those things, he immediately fell down and worshiped Him. Said Jesus at the moment:
"Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed."
Today the choice is just as real and vital to our faith and existence as it was over 2,000 years ago. Some will doubt and deny, especially in light of the alternatives and a nonchalant approach to believing in Jesus, as if He is just one option among many to set our lives on a path with God, eternity, and a 'good life.' But, Jesus is indeed the only way, and we affirm this reality by lifting our hearts to Him in worship.
Jesus Christ's resurrection is not only a fulfillment of the Scriptures, but also a fulfillment that He is who He said He is: God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the One who has divine authority over all. And, if that is true, then it is also crucial that we submit to Him and His dominion over our lives.
The question, then, is not just if you believe...but, are you ready to submit, in leading Him to be the Lord of your life now and forever.
May each of us answer in resounding fashion as Thomas did: "My Lord and my God!"
Praise: That Jesus is the risen King!
Prayer: That we full-heartedly put our trust in that resurrection and the authority of Christ in that resurrection to lead and shape our lives.
Prayer for Today: Lord, we thank You. We thank You for Your death and Your rise. For taking on the sins of the world and then to rise up in order that the Scriptures be fulfilled, in order for You to take Your place at the right hand of the Father, in order for You to give fullness to Your authority. Let us rest and abide in Your eternal essence that we see and believe without seeing, so that we may be filled with the fullness of Your Spirit. We worship You and You alone, and we love You. In Your Name, Amen.