April 9, 2009 - Romans 8:11

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11.
When we think of the Easter season, many of us reflect on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. As we do this, often we find it difficult to move past the gruesomeness of Jesus’ death and focus on the purpose of His death. This year, for some reason, I have spent more time reflecting on His resurrection. This verse from Romans, chapter 8, speaks deeply to me. As one of my friends in one of our small groups stated the other day, “The same Spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead is the same Spirit that is in me today.” Take a moment and let that sink in. And then reflect on verse 11 from Romans 8.
God, the Holy Spirit, raised Jesus from the dead, and that same God, the Holy Spirit, lives in you and me. He is the same Spirit, and He can be as active today in our lives as we will allow Him to be. He can raise us up from whatever “death” we may find ourselves in today…or tomorrow…or any day from now on.
The resurrection of Jesus from the grave, which we celebrate on Easter, is as much of an assault – a storming of the beach – as was the Normandy invasion in World War II. His resurrection was an assault on death, the grave, and the gates of hell. God has brought forth His kingdom, and is in the business of reconciling the world – His creation – to Himself. And on Easter, we celebrate the return to life of the King of Kings, and the beginning of the restoration of His Kingdom here on earth. All of this is powered by the same Holy Spirit that lives within you and me!
Questions to consider: How aware are you of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life today? Do you limit His activity in any way, and if so, how? Is there any “death” in your life today that you need to ask Him to raise up to new life?
Prayer: Father, I thank You today for Your great love for us and for Your creation. You did not leave us alone, but You lead an assault to win us and all of creation back to You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for raising Jesus from the dead and for being present in our lives today. Amen.