Weekly Devotion 4.24.2011

The Resurrection Brings Hope

2Cr 4:7-14 NLT - [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. [8] We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. [9] We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. [10] Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. [11] Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. [12] So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. [13] But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke." [14] We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.

Just as Christ suffered unto death at the Cross, so Paul outlines here in 2 Corinthians that the Christian, too, must suffer a similar crucifixion.  In Paul's time and in many places of the world today, it was and is in the literal sense.  But for many of us today, living the Christian life means enduring the emotional, mental, and spiritual temptations which surround us.  Thankfully, we are given a great hope, for "we now have this light shining in our hearts."  We "are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure."  What has Christ's resurrection given us?  Salvation, yes, but continual salvation! We are so weak and unworthy to receive the great treasure of salvation, but we are given it, and we must use it.  In Paul's time, Christians literally "share in the death of Jesus so that te life of Jesus may also be seen in [their bodies."  It is comforting to know that Jesus has endured what we must endure.  If he, God but full man, could endure death without sin, we know that we may endure death without losing our faith in Him.  That's such an incredibly powerful and hopeful message!

Ensure this day is not just another Easter to you.  Recall what the resurrection means:  what it gives us as Christians.  In it we have hope and security that, regardless of what life brings, Christ has been there and is here with us.