December 21, 2009—The Power of an Indestructible Life
Scripture: John 9, 10, 11
“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
John 10:17-18
Observation
In Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis concluded that Jesus was either the genuine Son of God or he was a nut case, but could not be both. In today’s passage Jesus makes a bold claim that would fall into one of the two categories Lewis described.
Application
Anyone has the power to lay his or her life down, but I’ve yet to meet anyone who has the power to take it back up, which leads to the central question of Christianity: Did Jesus indeed rise from the dead? If not, then we poor Christ-followers are a pathetic, deceived lot. If he did rise from the tomb as the Bible claims, then it has far-reaching ramifications for every human being, and to shrug it off is done at one’s own peril.
For me as a believer it has serious ramifications as well. If Jesus is alive as Scripture proclaims, then his promised abiding presence should be making a marked difference in my daily life. Let’s see, he is everywhere-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful, having disarmed spiritual powers and authorities. That knowledge alone, if truly embraced, puts an entirely new spin on life.
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for your position of power, authority, and sovereignty over this universe. Please help me to live today with a greater awareness of your real presence, and the ability to respond to your promises with genuine faith. Amen!
