The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Risen - Our Story"
"His empty tomb makes possible our full hearts, and our lives immersed in His living presence."
No Biblical evidence exists that Lazarus, raised from the dead, lived forever thereafter. His body doubtless returned to the grave at some point, but nevertheless his story serves as testimony to the power of God and His capacity to conquer death by life (John 11).
Conversely, the Lord Jesus Christ exited His tomb, never to return.
"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God" (Romans 6:9-10).
The account of Lazarus serves as encouraging history. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus serves our story, namely, He becomes a living and present Savior, Lord, and life to all who believe. His empty tomb makes possible our full hearts and our lives immersed in His living presence. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father" (Galatians 4:6). Had our Lord not been raised from the dead, He could not have returned to Heaven for the purpose of sending the Holy Spirit to spiritually enliven all who trust Him. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7).
Such a gift of grace means that we are alive from the dead in spirit, and will one day be fully alive in every aspect of our being. "You hath He quickened… when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (Ephesians 2:1; I Corinthians 15:53-54). The Apostle Paul taught that believers exist as living spirits, united to the Spirit of Christ, who presently dwell in bodies "dead because of sin." As we trust and submit to our Lord, "He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (enliven) your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:10-11). Thus, every thought, word, and deed accomplished in obedience to God means that the Holy Spirit has imparted the risen life of Christ from our spirits into our earthly faculties and members. Resurrections happen continually in believers as Christ lives in us and we "live through Him. "They which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ" (I John 4:9; Romans 5:17).
The tomb once occupied for three days, but empty now and forever, promises a living Savior in history - and in our story that includes this present hour. "I will come to you" promised the Lord Jesus to His disciples (John 14:18). He kept His word, and now all who receive His grace find the same assurance impacting our hearts and lives. Yes, the tomb of the Lord Jesus is empty so that our spirits may be full, and our bodies empowered by His overcoming Life beyond life. The risen Christ dwells within us, upon us, and around us as the theme of our story, and of whatever this moment may hold for each of us. "He is not here, for He is risen" said the angels long ago of the empty tomb (Matthew 28:6). "He is here, and He remains risen" they would say to us, echoing the Scriptures' declaration of our present, involved, and living Savior given by grace as the Life - the risen Life - of our lives and of our story.
"For though He was crucified through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God."
(II Corinthians 13:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name." (Hebrews 13:15)
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