August 16, 2007

“’Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.’” Acts 2:27-28.
Peter spoke to the crowd that Pentecost day about the ultimate miracle performed by God in raising Jesus, His Son, from death and the grave. Now, in this verse, Peter speaks of how Jesus’ resurrection impacts his own life, and, also, the life of anyone who chooses to follow Jesus. He talks of the joy that has filled his heart and the praises that naturally come from out of his mouth, as a result of the incredibly good news that he is not abandoned to the grave. Peter has realized that God has raised Jesus from the dead as the first of many, many more who will be raised up to new life, as well. The same God, who in deep love and compassion, raised Jesus up, has given Peter (and us!) this hope that he speaks of in this verse.
I must admit that on most days, I do not reflect on the hope that springs from the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the hope that we have in God raising us up. I have to admit that I do not remind myself of His resurrection power, nor do I live in the joy that springs out of that. This is one reason that I struggle, at times, rejoicing in God. Whenever I do reflect on His loving act of raising Jesus from the dead, I am blown away by it and it causes “my heart to be glad and my tongue to rejoice”, but I realize that I do not do this enough!
How about you? How does Jesus’ resurrection affect you today? Do you find that, like me, you do not reflect on it enough? We put so much emphasis on Jesus dying on the cross that it seems we are more concerned about Him dealing with our sin than we are about deeper, eternal questions. Now, don’t get me wrong; my sin does need to be dealt with, and for those of you who know me, you know how true that is! And it is true about you, too, knucklehead! And, yet, I spend more time thinking about my sin than I do the positive impacts of the resurrection on my life today. Take some time today to reflect on the resurrection – on God raising Jesus from the dead and His raising of people down through the ages and on through our time, into the future. Think of the impact of the resurrection on your personal life. How does it affect you today? How will you live today as a result of the resurrection of your life to new life?