September 20th, 2023

Hey Church Family!
Last week, we talked about the difficult subject of death and surrender.  Yet, that's exactly what Jesus calls us to do—come and die to truly live.  We just don't like death.  We are scared to death of death.  We like the idea of resurrection.  We love the idea of going to heaven.  It's just that no body wants to die to get there.

Death feels so final.  We don't get to talk to people after they die.  We don't see them again.  We don't know what it's like on the other side.  So, we're scared of the seemingly finality of death.

When Jesus died, everyone felt the same way.  No one was at the tomb counting down.  No one expected it.  Not even Lazarus, who had been resurrected himself, was there.  Everyone thought death was the end for Jesus.  In other words, no one thought resurrection was even a possibility.  What's more baffling?  Jesus TOLD them this would happen.  He told them, "Hey, I'm going to die.  I'm going to be buried.  But I'll rise again."  Still, no one expected resurrection.

It makes me wonder.  If THEY didn't get it, how much harder will it be for us to get it?  Think about it.  They had Jesus tell them directly.  They had seen Jesus perform miracles and signs.  They watched Jesus walk on water, raise the dead, and give sight to the blind.  They'd witnessed some of the most amazing things in all of history, and still could not wrap their minds around the possibility of a resurrection.  How much more difficult will it be for you and me to believe resurrection is possible?

Jesus even asked two of his disciples, who had given up hope, "How slow to believe are you?"  (See Luke 24:25).  It's a question for us.  Do we believe resurrection is possible?  Or are we slow to believe?

 To be clear, Jesus' resurrection changes EVERYTHING.  Death no longer has the final say in life.  Death has been defeated.  The grave no longer has a hold on us.  Because death is defeated, the effects of sin can be (and are being) reversed.  It is safe to say, Jesus' resurrection changes everything.

Yet, what I find incredibly fascinating is how few people actually believe that resurrection is possible.  I think its a tragedy to never experience the resurrection life Jesus wants for us.

My question for you this week is, do you believe that resurrection is possible?  And if so, what might Jesus do in your life?

Together in Christ,
Pastor Michael