Reflections on the Resurrection

I was going to title this post "I'll Fly Away," but decided against it, since most of you would assume I was headed for Guatemala. We wish we were headed for Guatemala, but God in his perfect wisdom has not yet open that door. We are more than confident that it will swing open soon, but we are a bit impatient. Lord, strengthen us. Now back to the post.

I was reading in John 11 this morning and the song "I'll Fly Away" popped into my head so I sat down and listened to the Jars of Clay version. The words, "Some bright morning, when this life is over, I'll Fly Away," capture so powerfully the anticipation we should have for the resurrection. The song speaks of the completion of our redemption; the day when our struggles with the flesh, the world and the devil will all be over. And what we shall be is not fully known, but we will be like Jesus (Phil 3:21; 1 John 3:2).

More than the reunion with loved ones who have gone on in the Lord, we should long for the resurrection. Because with our redemption complete (often called glorification) we will be able to stand in the glorious presence of our Gracious Creator-Redeemer, without shame, and be acknowledged as he people (1 John 2:28; Rev. 21:1-4).

John 11 provides a powerful picture of that day. We see Jesus standing at the tomb of Lazarus. He has already told Martha, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25, ESV). Jesus stands outside of the tomb and calls Lazarus to come out. And Lazarus, who had been dead four days, came out still wrapped in his grave clothes. This image reminds me of Jesus' words, "Truly, Truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (John 5:25, ESV). Lazarus' resuscitation foreshadows our resurrection.

We must live in light of the resurrection; seeing it as a real and imminent event. Paul warns, "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:11-14, ESV).

And again Paul reminds us, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:11-14, NIV).

May the resurrection become more real and sweeter to you every day. I pray that we all continue to walk in obedience while we await his glorious return. We will not all sleep, but we will all be change ( 1 Cor 15;1 Thess 4:13-18). Even so Lord Jesus, come (Rev 22:20). Amen.