Why do you look for the living among the dead?

She died this weekend.   We are stunned.  It was unexpected.  When she arrived at the emergency room . . . she was told she had a few hours to live. She did not fear death . . . and faced death as she faced life . . . with grace, dignity, and faith.  She understood that God’s love is never limited or cut off by anyone or anything, including death.

Death is not easy to comprehend or process; however, being free from the fear of death is one of the most liberating experiences in life. Our faith changes when we understand that real life is revealed through Christ. The thing is . . . God has communicated with us about life through Christ's  life, death, and resurrection, who is “God with us.”

We will face death . . . either with peace or anxiety.
The way I see it, how we approach death says a lot about we manage life.

Luke, a physician, referenced the question the followers of Jesus were asked: In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 

 Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5)

In his sequel, Acts, Luke explained that Jesus conquered death: After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  (Acts 1:3-4)

Luke traveled with Paul, who explained that Christ's resurrection is at the center point of life:  Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4).

 

Take time to think about death . . . which is conquered through life in Christ. Let heaven fill your thoughts.

Ask:  "Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Confess:  Death did not conquer Jesus.

Receive:  Life.  You died when Christ died.  Your life  is found in Christ. Real life . . . that death can't conquer . . . is found in Christ.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . in Christ . . . who lives.

                                      Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnv,lle, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/