HE IS RISEN...ME TOO!!

If ye then be risen with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the
right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1

Yep, as I write, Easter was yesterday but I'm determined to keep in mind that every day is Easter...resurrection day. So today, I recognize my benefits in Christ to be the same as yesterday.

Something has been working on me over the last several days regarding this wonderful time of year. I love new beginnings such as what springtime and the Easter season presents. I was brought to a quick reality a week ago when our pastor so eloquently presented what crucifixion was like under the Romans of the yesteryear. He presented information that came from many in the medical community who with the help of history, painted a pretty gruesome picture of what Jesus must have endured not only on the cross but in those hours of torture previous to His being nailed to a cross.

Jesus was presented as a criminal deserving of death as stirred up by the religious community. Jews couldn't...according to the Law...put folks to death under such circumstances. Roman soldiers were trained and very adept in the art of crucifixion among other methods of execution. This would be no big thing for them should it fall their lot to carry out. After the stirring of the crowds, the Romans caved and agreed to grant the wishes of the Jewish leaders.

As our pastor spoke of just the lashing meted out on the bare back of Jesus, ripping His skin to shreds, I thought at the moment that with the kind of skin I have, it would take just one lash like that on my bare back to probably nearly cut me in half. After it all, Jesus went to the cross, hardly recognizable as a human being, according to the Scriptures.

Here's what struck me to my heart as I heard that sermon....that was me on that cross...not literally but in spiritual reality. Jesus died for me...you...and everyone else. I didn't have to be nailed to a cross for my sin but spiritually speaking, I was there. It's just that Jesus had me and everyone else step aside while He took it all onto Himself for us.

If that was you and me with Jesus taking our places on that cross, the following few days saw Jesus rising from the death. This is the exciting part. Paul reminds us, “If ye then be risen with Christ....” Jesus went to that cross for my redemption but He then rose from the dead that I might share in that victory. I've never risen from physical death, but I can walk in the victory of His risen life that also gives me the hope of Eternity.

That's not the end of it though. Paul goes one to say...”seek those things which are above.” With all the wonderful information we have about Jesus' every provision for our lives, we now have a responsibility. With all the benefits we have because of Jesus, it is our responsibility and joy to consistently be seeking godly things above where Jesus is sitting on the right hand of His Father. With all Jesus has done for us, He doesn't deserve the leftovers of our lives, time for Him when there isn't anything else to do,or serving Him out of obligation.

I can appreciate all the festivities...Easter egg hunts, new clothes, ham for dinner with the trimmings, maybe attending church for one of two Sundays of the year (the other being Christmas). I know I attend church faithfully on Sundays but I can, like anyone else, lose sight of Jesus' generosity and love in my life. I'm deserving of none of it, but have felt convicted of the fact that every day should be a celebration of Jesus' generosity in my life. Thus, His gift can be celebrated every day, even in song:

He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me, and
Talks with me,
Along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart.
You asked me how I
know He lives...
He lives within my heart!

AMEN and AMEN!!

Thank You, Jesus for what You did for me on Calvary, your victory over death and for Your goodness in my life everyday. May I serve You faithfully not out of obligation but out of love and appreciation. I love You and I pray in Your precious name....Amen