Tag Archives: eternal life

He is Risen!

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Easter is sometimes called resurrection Sunday. Belief in a bodily resurrection extends clear back to the time of Abraham. Job, a contemporary of Abraham, had this to say:

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God.” Job 19:25-26

Today, the hope of a bodily resurrection remains the greatest single desire for those who wish to live beyond the grave; to have their slate wiped clean of heartaches, defects and maladies; to once again be able to converse with lost friends and loved ones. How can we be sure there will be a bodily resurrection for every believer in Jesus Christ? The gospel of John records these words of Jesus just before the bodily resurrection of Lazarus:

Jesus said to her [Martha], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” John 11:25

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan

water-872016_960_720 For people of God, the Jordan River carries heavy symbolism. If you are a churchgoer, take a quick peek in your hymnal. You will find songs revealing the Jordan as a symbol of death. Crossing the Jordan and reaching the Promised Land meant entering the gates of heaven.

Some time after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, baptism took the meaning of dying to your old self (upon immersion) and being raised to new life found in Christ (being drawn back up out of the water).

In Joshua chapter three we read the people of Israel needed to sanctify themselves before they could cross the Jordan River. For this ancient people it involved devoting themselves completely to God and worshiping him. God was about to perform a miracle and he wanted their undivided attention.

“Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”” Joshua 3:5

Unlike the Red Sea crossing found in the book of Exodus, crossing the Jordan to take possession of the Promised Land required an act of faith on their part–especially by the priests. God wasn’t going to stop the flow of the Jordan River at flood stage until their feet were in the water. The priests, however, didn’t go into the water alone. God was with them in the form of the ark of the covenant, which they carried.

“The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” Joshua 3:17

Some thoughts for those who know God through his son Jesus:

God sometimes performs miracles at the most extreme times, often only after we step out in faith
How many miracles have we missed because we failed to take that first step of faith?
Every person passed by the ark (containing the Word of God) as they traveled through the dry riverbed. Much as every person today must encounter God to pass from death to everlasting life.
God will accomplish the impossible in our lives if we will trust Him.

Freedom

memorial-day-354082_960_720 As Veteran’s Day approaches I am reminded freedom comes at great cost. American soldiers paid a price, often with life or limbs, to preserve our freedom. May God bless our service men and women as they serve our country.

Just as soldiers paid a price for our physical freedom, one solitary person paid the ultimate price for our spiritual freedom. Jesus died in our stead so we could be free from the bondage of sin which leads to physical death. Death is not the end for those who believe in Him. They will experience eternal life on the other side of death.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NLT

Your coffee mug verse: Philippians 1:21

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21

The world’s definition of living is rooted in how we engage our physical surroundings. In our quest to live we strive to possess things and people of interest. Yet, all the things we hold on to of worldly value are perishable; people, food, possessions, wealth, fame. In Philippians 1:21 the apostle Paul is referring to true life found in a relationship with Jesus Christ; true life that begins now and lasts for all eternity.

Paul explains his dilemma:

“I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.” Phil. 1:23-24 NLT

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Believer, are you “striving together [with others] as one for the faith of the gospel?” (v27)

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