Give Up Death and Belong to the Lord
Romans 14:8
Friday, April 6th
When I was young we used to play a game in the winter when the snow got piled up high called king of the mountain. Basically try to be the one standing on top of the snow pile while everyone else tries to throw you off so they can stand there. Now I’ m not even sure how the game ends officially, other than friends all at the bottom laying in the snow wishing they could be on top.
This is kind of what the resurrection of Jesus is like for him. Jesus went through an entire life of humility and always being something that he wasn’ t. He went through life aching at the sight of individuals who he knew would turn away from him. He lived only to suffer and sacrifice. He hung on a cross till he died as a criminal who had done nothing wrong. Now, after his resurrection, Jesus stands above all others because he came through all that back to life again. Jesus pushed death aside and gave it up. He stands as king of life.
Instead of being thrown down to make room for another at the top, instead of laying down at the bottom looking up and wishing you could be there at the top, you are there. You are with Jesus, living and dying to the Lord. If you find yourself going through difficult times, suffering, and pain right now there’ s good news. You die to the Lord. If you feel like you might be standing on the top, but you know people are coming for your position in your career field, your class, your home, there’ s good news. You live to the Lord. It doesn’ t matter if you’ re on top or on the bottom, Jesus is on top because of his resurrection. And because he lives now you live with him. Because he has died you die to him. Whether you live or die, good times or bad, health or health crisis, you belong to the Lord. The resurrection of Christ promises you that.
Prayer: Resurrected Christ you have lived, died, and now live again. There is no greater message than that. Help me to have the knowledge that right now, whether I feel on top of the world or feel like the world is on top of me, you are there. You are there for me, with me, and in me. Lead me to realize I live because of you and I will die to you. Give me confidence that no matter what, I belong to you. Amen.
Activity: Each member of the family make a notecard with their name written on it followed by“ belongs to the Lord because Jesus lives”. Put it on the mirror, on the refrigerator, in a desk, in a book. Put it someplace you’ ll see it often to be reminded of this verse.
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