“But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24 NASB)
The pulpit may be located in a grand sanctuary. It may be situated center stage in a homeless shelter; perhaps it a spot on a barren piece of land far away from civilization as you know it. It may be and enclosed spot on the exercise yard at a place where criminals are contained. It could be a transformed high retail storefront that has now been converted to a house of God. The pulpit could be on a mountainside or on the magnificent waters that lead to a much-needed vacation, retreat, or a rare treat on an island location. The place where the pulpit or spot designated for God’s word to be delivered may be different than the place you worship today. The site may differ, and the surroundings may be quite different, but the preached word on this day; the proclamation is the same! Languages may vary but the loud declaration will carry the identical meaning and message! The proclamation will be the same! Cultures may be unique, but the message will be uniform! “He Lives!” The proclamation will be the same! Jesus lives! Yes – we serve a risen Savior! Yes – He died on Calvary for our sins! Yes – they buried Him a borrowed tomb, just as prophecy had predicted! There is yet another “Yes!” Yes – just as He promised, Jesus rose on the third day and we all know by now, He arose with all power in His hands! He Lives! While every Sunday, good preaching leads to the cross, on this special Sunday, it is all about the resurrection of the One God the Father sent to save us! The proclamation is the same! It is not about the widow’s son who Elijah raised after there was no breath left in him! Yes, Elijah said to the son’s mother, “See, your son is alive!” That’s a testament to God’s power, but only a teaser to a “raising up” that would come much later in time! Today is about the resurrection of God’s only begotten Son that He gave us so that whosoever believes in Jesus shall have everlasting life! It is not about Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, where Jesus pronounced with the words from His mouth, “Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him.” Just a side note: Great things happen when Jesus comes to wherever you are! As the Biblical record reports, in spite of the fact that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days, after having the stone removed and after giving thanks to the Father, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” And Lazarus, the man who had died came forth! But this morning, focus on Jesus. Jesus is the resurrection and the life; he that believes in Him will live even if he dies and everyone who lives and believes will never die! That’s good news! Yet, that is just a prologue to the most powerful resurrection story ever; one that cannot be surpassed, and neither should it be ignored on any day, but especially not today!
Matthew’s gospel tells us how on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave and they were told by an angel, being delegated to deliver the best message ever for mankind, “He is not here, for He has risen!” Yes, He lives! Doesn’t that cause joy to enlarge your excitement and cause a spiritual explosion in your heart? Doesn’t that expel all the existing fears about facing tomorrow? Doesn’t that excite you about Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for us where we can spend an eternity with Him? Your answers should all be “YES!” How appropriate is an invitation in a meditation? Well, you can tell how I feel about it from the closing verse below! Be blessed!
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King