ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE DAY

Together in His Name

Romans 14:9
For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

In other words, the death and resurrection of Jesus proved His authority over life and death -- and gave Him lordship over both the living and the dead. Consider Luke 24:1-6a: "On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 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? He is not here; he has risen!'"
All too often I find people who seek Jesus among the dead. Some say, "He was a great role model," or "Let's look at His life and see how He would handle this particular situation." Unfortunately, when we look at Jesus philosophically or theologically we have a tendency to treat Him as if He is dead. But He is not. He's alive with us right here and right now. And I'm not talking about thoughts or memories. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Today we have been brought together in His name -- He is right here with us -- in person!

When we truly grasp this concept that Jesus is "the Lord of both the dead and the living," it changes the way we worship, pray, and study. Our awareness becomes attuned to His presence. Is Christ alive with you today? Will you acknowledge His life? How does it change the reading of our devotion today? How about your worship, prayer and study time?

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