October 25th, 20

From Death to Life

Today’s readings are Job 17 and Acts 24-26.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

It was something about a dead man that Paul insisted was now alive.  Festus got that message. Somehow, through all the confusion, false accusations, pride, politicking and intrigue, this simple message was made clear.  A dead man is alive. It’s not about religion, religious reform, national identity or own successes or failures.  This message, that is worth living and dying for, and being imprisoned for, has something to do with a dead man who we insist is alive.  It’s about THE Man, who has come as God’s light into this dark world that is shrouded in death.  He has overcome death’s grip on humanity.  He’s come as the Prophet said he would, to bring God’s resurrection life and light to people living in darkness.  Isaiah the prophet said:

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isa 9:2 NLT)

This dead man, now living, has come to offer every man, woman and child, resurrection light and life, the forgiveness of sins, and the power to live today, simply trusting in him.  When we rest in Him – whether we were on a donkey enroute to persecute Jesus – or  sitting in an auditorium, listening in judgement on a man’s story of life –  we become one more simple undeniable story of someone who was dead but now, is alive.  We are alive in Him, living our life through him.  Paul has no greater desire than to see this story repeated over and over again, whether it’s Festus or King Agrippa, the people sitting in the audience listening to him speak, or you and I,  thousands of years later.  He has no greater desire than that we, too, might become one more story of a dead person that knows and insists that they are alive in Him.

Is that your story today – resurrection life and light, making it’s way into your life, setting you free?   May you know and live in the joy of a life that once was dead but now is alive, because of Him.

You are loved!