Responding to Exodus and resurrection

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Devotions: Ps 97, 99, 115; Exod 12:40-51; 1 Cor 15:29-41; Mt 28:1-16

YHWH reigns; let all creation rejoice! He is almighty and awesome; all nature responds to His majesty and power. The heavens proclaim His righteousness, and all peoples behold His glory. He alone is God; all other gods are idols in submission to Him. God loves those who hate evil; He preserves our lives; He shines light on us, fills us with joy. Let us give thanks to God and praise His holy name. Mighty King, You have established justice for Your own; You have led us by the works of Moses and Aaron, Samuel and David. You forgive Your own and avenge our injuries. Let us extol YHWH our God, the Holy One! Glorify God’s holy name; our God is in the heavens, and He is sovereign. Man-made idols are a travesty: they have eyes and ears, but cannot see or hear; and those who make and worship them are like them! Let us trust in the living God, YHWH, our Help and Shield. He is mindful of us, and blesses us, great and small. May God bless us and our children. Everything belongs to our God and we bless and praise Him forever.

Israel lived in Egypt 430 years, and left on that very anniversary. YHWH directed Moses and Aaron in the memorial ordaining Passover: No foreigner might partake, but Israel’s slaves were accepted when the males had been circumcised. No sojourner or hired servant could partake. The meal was to be fully consumed in one sitting, within one house—no leftovers could be kept or transported; no bones should be broken. Only those whose males were circumcised could partake. And the people obeyed as YHWH commanded, as they departed from Egypt.

Paul continued his discussion regarding resurrection: Another indicator of the resurrection is the practice of being baptized for the dead—it would be incoherent if the dead are not raised. Paul’s hard work and the trials he faced would be meaningless except for the resurrection. Let us come to right thinking and avoid continuing in sin. What is sown is not the same as what rises up: we sow a kernel, but a living and fruitful plant grows from it. God gives each species its own body. Humans, animals, birds and fish all are different bodies. And there are different kinds and degrees of glory, just as sun, moon and stars embody different effulgence. These help us understand the transformation that accompanies resurrection from the dead.

Matthew’s account of the events of Easter morning: Toward dawn on the first day, Mary Magdalene and another Mary went to see the sepulcher where Jesus was laid. There was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord had descended from heaven, rolled away the stone sealing the tomb, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, his raiment white as snow. In terror before him, the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid. I know you seek Jesus Who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then hurry and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you to Galilee. You will see him there. Now, I have told you.’ So the women quickly left the tomb, and in fear and great joy, they ran to tell the disciples of Jesus. As they were going, Jesus Himself met them and said, ‘Hello!’ The women came to Him, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Jesus said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.’ As the women were proceeding with this, the some of the guards went into the city and told the chief priests all that had transpired. The chief priests and Jewish elders conferred, and gave a sum of money to the soldiers, and instructed them: ‘Tell people that His disciples came by night and stole away His body while we were asleep. And if all this comes to the governor’s attention, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ So the soldiers took the bribe and did as they were directed; and this story has circulated among the Jews to this day. And the eleven apostles went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.