04/08/2023
I am lost in thought this morning regarding the gift that was given us from the cross. As believers we all know that Jesus suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven, to release us from sin and death, but there is more. Through our faith and relationship with Him we will be resurrected and receive a glorified body just as He did. Are you ready to glow, just as the scripture we discussed yesterday revealed that Jesus did while talking with Elijah and Moses?
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11 ESV
Something incredibly wonderful happened to Jesus in His tomb; not only was He lifted spiritually to be with God, but He was lifted physically as well. And following His resurrection Jesus appeared to the two apostles on the road to Emmaus and said...
“And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"”
Luke 24:25-26 ESV
As wonderful, (and truly the focal point of what happened on the cross) as our release from sin is, there is a second promise, and that is the return of Jesus Christ to claim His bride, and our own physical resurrection and glorified body. We will be like Him... and hasn't that been our goal all along? Speaking of the risen Christ, Oswald Chambers wrote these words...
"When our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now the efficacy of His resurrection and walk in newness of life." - Oswald Chambers
By following the teachings of Jesus we are striving to be like Him today, and as Chambers wrote we can "walk in a newness of life" right now because of His resurrection. We may think our goal is to perfect our current life, but it should be to convert what and who we are into what and who Jesus is.
So, as we have read, there is more coming... a glorified body. Well, I don't know all of the ramifications of that, but I envision myself being about 24 years old, healthy, full of vitality, and not a blemish to be found! Oh, and I would finally like to have a singing voice too! Perhaps you have other ideas regarding yourself, and what perfections you would like to embrace, but won't it be wonderful?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and His sacrifice upon the cross so that I might stand before you free of sin, made worthy and pleasing in your eyes. I also thank you for the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of my own resurrection, eternal life, and glorified body when He returns for me. Lord, I am not ungrateful for this life nor this body, but I see their shortcomings, and long to be as Jesus the Lamb of God... who was and is, and is to come... perfect, and without blemish. Roll back the stone of my tomb Father, and let me sing your praises as I join in worship with the heavenly host; glowing bright in my glorified body. Hear me as I sing to you with raised arms, and an angelic voice, the glorious chorus of heavenly praise… “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” In that day you will have perfected me in both body and soul Father, and all of creation will rejoice, knowing that you are truly my God Almighty… forever, and forevermore!
“And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!””
Revelation 4:8 ESV
“And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.”
Isaiah 6:3-4 ESV
Rich Forbes