Jesus lives, and we live!

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.

Easter blessings,
Dr. Will

Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Devotions: Ps 103, 111, 114; Exod 12:28-39; 1 Cor 15:12-28; Mk 16:9-20

Let my soul and all that is in me bless YHWH and His holy name. Let me recall and honor the benefits I have from my God, Who forgives my sins, heals my diseases, redeems me from desolation, and crowns me with steadfast love and mercy. God satisfies me with His goodness and renews my vigor, so that my youth is perpetual, like an eagle’s! YHWH vindicates me; He gives me justice, mercy and grace. God is slow to anger and abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness. He does not deal with us according to our sins, but with love higher than the skies, He sets our sins apart from us as far as east is from west, and pities us like a father cares for his children. We are like grass—mortal, delicate, short-lived. But YHWH’s love lasts forever; He keeps His covenant and blesses all who remember and observe his covenant and commandments. Let all that lives bless the Lord. I will praise the Lord while I have breath; great are His works; He is full of honor and majesty; His righteousness endures for ever. He feeds and shelters us; He has shown us His immense power; His works are faithful and just and beautiful, and they are eternal. God has redeemed His people; let us bow to His holy name. To fear YHWH and Him alone is the beginning of true wisdom; those who practice godly awe gain priceless understanding. His praise endures for ever. When Israel left Egypt, Judah became His sanctuary and Israel His dominion. The very oceans and mountains cringe before our God. Let all creation tremble before the Lord!

Israel did all YHWH commanded as He prepared to bring them out of Egypt. At midnight, YHWH struck down the firstborn throughout Egypt—human and animal. There was a huge outcry and lament; there was not a single Egyptian house untouched by this death. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and sent them forth from Egypt: ‘Go and serve YHWH as you have said. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and be gone. And bless me also!’ So they went forth, carrying with them a treasure in silver, gold and clothing, which the people had asked and received from the Egyptians. The multitude numbered 600,000 men, with women, children, and animals, and a mixed multitude of non-Israelites as well. They did not lag, but moved forward, eating unleavened cakes and marveling at their deliverance.

Paul argued that it makes no sense to assert that there is no resurrection from the dead—either Jesus the Messiah did rise, and so can others, or He did not, and Christians believe a lie. If we hope in Christ for this life only, we are of all people the most to be pitied! But the Messiah IS risen, the first fruits of those who have died. Death came to humankind through Adam’s sin; life comes through the virtues of Jesus, through Whom all can live. But each in his own order: the Messiah first, then at His visitation, those who belong to Him. Then will come the end, when Jesus delivers the kingdom to God the Father after Jesus has destroyed every rule and authority and power—every idol and spiritual pretender to God’s sovereignty. Jesus must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. And death is the last enemy to be destroyed—this is the plain meaning of the scripture that says God has put all things in subjection under His Messiah [Ps 8:6]. This subjection does not include the Father, clearly: God is everything to every one, and even the Christ is under God’s authority.

[The traditional conclusion appended to Mark’s gospel is this:] When Jesus arose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She brought this news to those who were mourning Jesus, but they refused to believe her. Later that day, Jesus appeared also to two disciples walking in the country; they brought their testimony, but also were not believed. Thereafter, Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles as they sat at table; and He scolded them for their unbelief and hardness of heart in rejecting the earlier testimony of those who had already encountered Him in His resurrection. Jesus said to the apostles, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; those who do not believe will be condemned. Here are signs to authenticate those who believe: in My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink something deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and the sick will recover.’ After He had spoken to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And the disciples went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the message by the signs that attended it. Amen.