Dead Serious

 March 28, 2010 

Dead Serious

"I am the resurrection and the life...Lazarus, Come forth!"  John 11:25, 43

Our Lord’s Passion announced the beginning of the end of death. During the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry His words, deeds, parables and prayer all reflect the ultimate issues of eternity. Jesus strongly confronts hypocrisy as he declares the “woes” of lifeless religion. His parables reflect the themes of proper stewardship of life that depict humanity’s accountability to God. He prays for the unwilling Jerusalem to come to Him for protection as chicks run to their momma. He spent intimate time with His closest friends and shared His heart as He never had. He was drawn more and more to prayer and His sermons are like prayer on fire in public. Only He knew the significance of that Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. It would be a triumph that no one expected. It would carve a victory from a means that no one suspected. Jesus was dead serious. He never skirted the fact that death is a serious matter. He openly proclaimed it as He offered His abundant life to those who would believe.  During Lenten season we realize that Jesus willingly chose to not only struggle, but to die, for the redemption of humanity, “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friend.”

How about going this week to www.covenantlife.net and press the Easter Preparation key and worship to the song, “Revelation Song”? Take time to catch a glimpse of the death of death. Jesus defeated death by tasting death for us and through the power of His resurrection. But, while defeated, death has not yet been utterly destroyed. “Resurrection Song” looks to the day when “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.”-I Cor 15:27. Glory to the Lamb who is standing, as if slain-Rev 5:6 He gave Himself for us. His sufferings brought our joy. He is the Lord over death because He tasted death for us. Hallelujah. Only Jesus is worthy. Forever.