March 2016

What are the events that have changed your life? There are some events of such magnitude that everyone remembers where they were when they happened; Pearl Harbor, or the assassination of Pres. Kennedy, 9/11.


Of course, every day events profoundly impact us: graduation, marriage, having a child. All these things and more bring tremendous change. They force us to act in ways we didn't have to before. You don't have to care for a crying baby at 2:00 a.m. until you have one.


Still, for all the changes these events bring, we tend to face them with the resources and life-skills we've already developed. Getting married makes you a husband or wife. It doesn't necessarily make you a good one. Marriage does not necessarily change you.


The single event with the greatest impact on the human race in all of human history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I say that, not just because Jesus rose from the dead and won eternal life. I say it because Jesus' resurrection changes my life by changing me.


We begin to think of the resurrection by thinking about Jesus' death. That is only natural. Jesus died for our sin. His sacrifice took care of my guilt and yours and gained us forgiveness. Our relationship with the Father is restored and we are now called the children of God because that is what we are. When we mention Jesus' resurrection we often think “Ahhh, now for that I will have to wait. I will have eternal life after death, because Jesus rose.”


What if I said, resurrection life begins now? I don't mean we will never face the end of mortal life. But I do mean that Jesus' resurrection brings change right now, so that I can live a new life today.


In Romans 6:4 Paul wrote, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”


Notice he didn't say, “We will be raised to life after death.” Paul said, “We may live a new life” meaning now. How does that happen? We are joined to Jesus' resurrection and his new life changes our lives, and makes new living possible. “In the same way count yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Ro. 6:11)


This is our great hope and joy: that Jesus' resurrection not only forgives our past, not only secures our future, but it also transforms our present because it changes us.


Praise the Lord.
      Pastor Byron