The Resurrection is our hope, strength, foundation, and future. Jesus was the firstborn among many (Rom. 8:29). Whenever, I am overwhelmed by my body failing, grief, and even natural disasters, I remember that right now we live our lives in the “in between”, the Saturday before Resurrection. Because Jesus was bodily resurrected, there will be a resurrection for all of us, not spiritual like we enjoy now, but bodily resurrected to live forever with Jesus as our source of life and light. The Message writes it this way, Philippians 3:21,
One day we will live in a city with no need for moon or sun. For in the resurrection the Glory of God will be our light and the Lamb will be our lamp! Rejoice today that Christ is Risen! And one day we will join Him! (Rev. 21:23)
Today is our new year! We remember the foundation that Christ Jesus laid for us not only on the cross, but in the reality of the resurrection gives us a new life to live. No matter what we may face this year, the resurrection of our Messiah will be a solid foundation to find hope, joy, and love. We know that one day there will be no more darkness. No more night designed for our rest. No more suffering designed for us to learn to rest in Jesus because we will enter into that eternal rest. We need to know this and meditate on the resurrection, so that when the shadows of darkness threaten our hope, joy, and love, we will fear no evil!
Meditation: The Lord Has Risen!
Why do you look for the living among the dead!
He is not here; the Lord has risen!
He has risen indeed!
The Lord has risen!
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death is your sting?
Death has been swallowed up in victory!
Christ is risen!
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.”
Thanks be to God!
He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
The Lord is risen!
Alleluia! He Has risen!
Flourishing Faith 