Risen

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen!”                                                                                                                                            Luke 24.5b, 6a

What gloriously stirring words these are! The last that the faithful saw might have been Joseph removing the body to the tomb or, more likely, the dead Christ upon the cross. It would be the most natural act for the women to want to anoint the body. And so, they would have visited the tomb expecting to do this.

There, the most wonderful news awaited them. Their beautiful friend was not dead but alive. And the risen Christ is now truly their Saviour! I delight in the phrase  “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” How pertinent this question is, and how relevant to today! Jesus brings new life. And He will be found among those who are willing to live their lives with Him and in Him. His journey from death to life is indicative of what believers experience. In our sin we are apart from God. The ways of the flesh kill the spirit, and keep us from Him. But Christ brings new life. We need to look for Him among those who are vibrant in Him. I pray that I might be one such. I open myself to Him and invite Him to fill me with the measure of new life in Him.

Lord Jesus,

I rejoice that You are alive and most wonderfully so. I seek You out, Lord. I cry out for You to fill me anew and lead me into a life of You in me and me in You.

May each day bring a new measure of You into me. May I also meet with others with whom to share this new life. These may be followers of You or they may yet be ‘dead’ in the Spirit. Let me join with them and introduce You, either initially or in greater measure.

I pray that Your Spirit would work in me to release the powerful love that You have for me and that You have given me. Precious Jesus, receive my love and release me in Your love.                  Amen.

Courage

Going to Pilate, he (Joseph of Arimathea) asked for Jesus’ body.              Luke 23.52

Notes to the NIV Study Bible say this:

The remains of an executed criminal often were left unburied or at best put in a dishonoured place in a pauper’s field. A near relative, such as a mother, might ask for the body, but it was a courageous gesture for Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, to ask for Jesus’ body.

On initial reading of these notes, two things impact me. The first is the harsh reminder that Jesus, my precious Saviour and Lord, was truly treated and looked upon as a criminal. I struggle to reconcile myself to this, even though I am fully aware of the historic account. Furthermore, I can readily say that other men did this, but what would I have done had I been present at the time?

The second aspect that impresses me is the courage of Joseph, for I certainly see his asking of Pilate for the body of Jesus as a most courageous act. He was declaring himself and this, maybe, for the very first time to the view of a hostile Sanhedrin. What a brave man! Will I also exhibit such courage should the occasion arise?

Lord Jesus,

My sorrow at the reminder of Your treatment as a common criminal is further agitated by the appalling thought of how I might have viewed You had I been present at the time. I am thankful that this was not the reality. The suggestion, however, lingers and is emphasised by the realisation of Joseph’s courage.

I pray for strength, Holy Spirit strength to enable me to remain faithful to You. I am caught up in this great love that You have for me, and I want to respond equally as strongly as I receive. But my capacity to love comes nowhere near Yours.

May You increase my love. Enlarge my heart. Let me see people, more and more, as you see them. May I respond in ways that honour and please You. Help me in this, in Your precious name I ask.           Amen.

Son of God

They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied, “You are right in saying I am.” Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”                                                                 Luke 22.70,71

The Jewish leaders acknowledged that they heard Jesus declare Himself to be the Messiah. They heard it, but they did not believe. Instead they took His admission as their right to destroy Him.

This is a sequence of events that has been repeated so many times throughout history. People have heard the declaration of Jesus as the Saviour, yet they have chosen to deny and reject Him and they have destroyed any possibility of salvation.

This practice is rife today. The world largely has put God out of the picture as irrelevant, useless and totally unnecessary.

O, how I cry out for this pitiful world. It places its hopes in itself. Mankind has become too clever by far, and seems intent upon its own destruction.

Can I as an individual do anything? I shall do what I know to do – pray!

Holy God,

It’s possible that the world has rejected You for the simple reason that You are holy. I cry out for the world. Even though we have largely abandoned You I know You have not abandoned us.

I pray that Your love may re-emerge on this earth. There are many pockets of faithful believers. Increase us, Lord. May the reality of Jesus shine forth and the wonderful love of the Father be transmitted through human lives. Lord, forgive the church its many sins. Renew us, and strengthen us to go forth, and rightly carry the message of love – Your love for the whole world.

I ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus.

Amen.

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Denial!

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed!                                                                            Luke 22.60

As Jesus had foretold, so it came to be. Jesus had said to Peter, “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And Peter had done just that.

The NIV use of the word “disown” really speaks to me. Strong’s concordance (533) gives it also as “to deny utterly”. This is no mild excusing. This is total denial! No wonder Peter went outside and wept bitterly when he realised the truth.

This brings me to consider the truth for me. It is easy for me to say, in the comfort of my home, that I will never deny Jesus. But what might be the reality if ever I am truly tested? How will I respond? I pray that my love, honour and respect for Jesus will uphold. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give me the strength and courage to say, “Yes, I know Him. Yes, I am one of them. Yes, I declare Jesus to be my Saviour and my Lord. Yes, He has changed my life from drudgery into something beautiful, and I will ever affirm Him. Yes, Yes, Yes!!”

Lord Jesus,

Today we’re talking true faith, the faith that stands – and withstands. This is no fuzzy inner feeling without real substance. This is knowing, positively knowing You and what You did for me.

I declare this, and I seek to strengthen my stand. I don’t want to be merely a “fine-weather” believer.

I pray for depth of faith. I ask You to draw me deeper, to grow me further in You. May I be so connected in You that it would be impossible not for You to be seen in me? May it be so that for anyone to ask, “Do you know Him?” would be foolishly superficial.

I love You and I want that love to show. Shine through me, Precious Lord. Shine on!

                                                                                                                             Amen.