Week 5
Luke 24:5b-6a “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here; He has risen.”
Jesus had died on that cross; He really DID die! But three days later He was not dead anymore – He was ALIVE. He was genuinely alive, physically alive, eternally alive, and victoriously alive. Thus, the question the angels posed made a direct and life-changing assertion: JESUS IS ALIVE; DON’T LOOK FOR HIM AMONG THE DEAD.
This world is full of death. There is sickness, weakness, decline, damaged lives, broken dreams, and unfulfilled expectations. Sin is ubiquitous; it is universal and pervasive. Everywhere sin goes, it brings death, despair, destruction, and darkness with it.
But Christians live in this sinful fallen world as followers of the One who is not dead, and death does not have a grip on Him. We are followers of Jesus Christ – THE ALIVE ONE. Thus, Christians live with true life as the vital energy and force of our existence. Jesus is our Savior, our Lord, and our Life. He gives life, for HE IS LIFE. He not only is alive, but Jesus IS also life itself. Jesus said to grieving Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).”
Everywhere in this sinful world there is decay and death. This world is filled with moral decay and death; this world is filled with spiritual decay and death. The path offered by the world may be wide and inviting, but the end thereof is the way of destruction and death (Matthew 7:13).
Christians follow the living Christ who gives the living Word and bestows life abundant and eternal. Our joy in Christ is full through faith in Him; our peace is deep through trusting in His promise and guidance. We do not look for life among the dead – dead philosophies, dead ideologies, dead beliefs, dead wisdom, and dead laws. Our life is real, because our living Lord is real. He is real in every way possible that we might come to know true life and in it be sustained for our soul’s renewal and health.
Dear Christian friend, are you grieving the loss of a loved one, are you saddened by life’s unexpected disappointments, are you discombobulated by the turbulence of life’s vicissitudes? You are the child of God and the follower of the victorious Lamb of God; stand in grace and walk by faith. God is with you every step of your journey. You are not defeated by life’s terrible turns; you are chosen by the God of the universe and indwelt by the loving Savior through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Embrace the moment and face the future; all is well. Your journey is His plan, and your destiny is His promise. You are safe and secure. Rejoice; your Savior lives!
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me not to live in the cemetery of fear; lead me forth to the sunshine of life, life in Jesus, my resurrected Lord and Savior. Thank You for this victory in Jesus Christ. Amen.