SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20]
Jesus is alive, He has defeated sin, death and hell.
We believe that Jesus is the Master of the Universe, and this is good news.
Who is the ‘master’ of the universe for you?
If not Jesus, who or what, if anything at all?
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. [1 Corinthians 15:14]
Faith is confidence in God; without this confidence, who or what do we put our confidence in?
In humanity? in the goodness of man? in chance, luck or fortune? in yourself?
If Christ is not alive, then death has the last word, and all we can do is enjoy ourselves while we can.
If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [1 Corinthians 15:32]
This kind of thinking makes each person their own master, and their own happiness the ultimate good.
For a time people hoped in the goodness of mankind, and in the gradual evolution of this world into a better place… but reality has disillusioned us.
We cannot get past human nature; we keep doing stupid, selfish things.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. [1 Corinthians 15:17]
If Jesus is not alive, we are wasting our time, since we’re all going to die and end up as dust anyway.
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. [1 Corinthians 15:19]
But as Christians, we have a hope that anchors us through the storms of life into eternity.
We have been united to God – Father, Son and Spirit – and this gives us stability and security through life.
Believing in Jesus changes everything, it’s the difference between hope and despair, between purposeful and pointless living.
This is the good news, and it can change your life perspective too.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20]
PRAYER:
Lord, please give me this resurrection hope in my heart, and may it energize me to live for You and others – a life of purpose and peace!
A week and two days it will be Christmas once again – a time we remember and celebrate our Lord’s birth. Yet you can’t have Christmas without a resurrection. In this passage we hear the Great Commission before He ascends. I serve a risen Saviour.
And as He appeared to the women and others He continues to appear to me through His Word and encourages me and guides me by the give of His Spirit. As He was with His people then in a physical way He is still with His people today. That was and is His promise and His promises do not fail.
And so today I am part of that commission – telling the story to the kids I teach and the people I reach but only by His power. As His people then were told, He is Risen!, so too today I serve a risen Saviour this day He has created. He has made me strong. GodStrong. ChristStrong. SpiritStrong. SpiritLeadStrong.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.