July 1, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:5-10
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION
Yesterday I was with someone who was dying, and last night they died.
I can imagine the grief these women felt, but I can barely imagine what it must have felt like to hear an angel day, ‘He is risen’.
I am going back to the house today, but I do not expect to hear this.
These women must have been shaking with fear and joy, doubt and hope; is it any wonder that they worshipped Him when they saw Him!!!!
”I believe in the resurrection of the dead.”
Like Lazarus’ sisters, “I know he will rise again, this will happen when people are raised from the dead on the last day.” (John 11:24)
But what does it mean to believe, as Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even if he dies. And those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
To believe this is to believe that Scott did not die, that he is not dead, that he is risen.
This is why when early Christians spoke of someone who died, they spoke of them falling asleep: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Because of Jesus, death has been beaten, death is no more… only sleep, and we wake up from sleep!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You that because of You, we no longer die. May this thought enable us to grieve with hope, not despair, as we entrust Scott into Your care.
I wish the family and you also, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.
Observations:
Angels speaking to the women. God’s messengers. God’s leading and guiding, giving evidence of what He had said.. Repeating what He had said. Tell the others. The women became the messengers. And then they met the Lord who also told them the same. Tell my brothers that I will meet them in Galilee..
Application:
How’s my hearing? To listen is to do. Do I hear the Word of the risen Saviour. ‘I am alive – forevermore. I am with you forevermore.’ Jesus called His ‘deserters His brothers. He knows our frame and He continues to work with His people.. And so too, He continues to work with me, telling me which way to walk. What an awesome God. And as the women were filled with joy, so may my journey each day, my pilgrim’s promise, be filled with joy, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.
Prayer:
Speak to me Lord that I may speak Your words to those around me.
Lord, speak to me that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou has sought, so let me seek
Thine erring children lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee,
To weary ones in needful hour.
O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord,
Until my very heart overflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessèd face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.