Today’s Reading: John 20:1-29
Optional readings: Matt 28:1-15, Mark Ch 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49
The Resurrection!
All of history hinges on this event. Jesus took our sin, took our punishment, defeated sin, defeated death, secured our salvation, and proved His divinity.
I recall the same passage we opened the devotional with, Philippians 2:10-
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
and gave Him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
And this God…He loves me. He loves the world, but He also just loves me specifically... And you specifically.
He is asking for a relationship with us. Isn’t that crazy?
And I’m not scared anymore. I don’t even want the old me.
I’m running to Him. I will spend every day on this earth praising Him!
I join with the elders in heaven singing,
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
Because You were slain,
And with your blood you purchased for God
Persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
And they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
And thousands and thousands of angels join in,
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
To receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
And honor and glory and praise!” (Rev 5:12)
And every voice in all creation cries out,
“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
Be praise and honor and glory and power,
FOR EVER AND EVER!” (Rev 5:14)
Worthy are You, Jesus!
I take part in Your death so that I can take part in Your resurrection.
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you,
He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:10-11
And I won’t be returning to that old person anymore. There is nothing left for me there. I am made new, and this new life is in Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation:
The old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Cor 5:17
I trust Him to provide.
I trust Him to walk beside me.
I trust Him to help me when I slip.
I choose Jesus, the One who reigns victoriously forever and ever!
He is worthy of everything I can muster.
Praise You, Risen King!
Thank You for Your amazing love!
You are worthy of so much more than I can give, but I give my life as an offering.
Take it all, Lord: my pride, my time, my thinking, my anger, my judgment, my words, my fear, my insensitivity, my grudges, my attitude, my comfort, my short-sightedness, my ambition, my double-mindedness, my apathy, my will…MY EVERYTHING. ME.
Take it all. I surrender it all to You, King Jesus.
Amen.