“While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.”
“I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely.
10 For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.
11 You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
“This is the declaration of the Lord to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.””
“For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay.
28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence.”
“But I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the dust.”
“He will revive us after two days,
and on the third day he will raise us up
so we can live in his presence.”
Saturday, December 23
Messiah Resurrected
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:4-8; Psalms 16:8-11, 110:1; Acts 2:25-28; Job 19:25; Hosea 6:2
Imagine the defining moment of your life. That event that changed you, redirected you, set the course of your life. Write it down.
What is Jesus’ defining moment, that single act that fulfilled all that God sent him to do? His birth? Certainly, he was born divine, miraculously. It proved he was God. But then he lived as a man. Pain, sorrow, hardship. He experienced it all, everything that we feel. So, what was the moment that changed history? Was it his healings, preaching, or miracles? No, the single event in his life that changed human destiny was the sacrifice, His crucifixion. Then came the proof, his Resurrection!
His crucifixion was the battle, his resurrection was the victory. “He is not here; he has risen!” was the declaration from God, spoken by angels. These words rocked earth’s very foundation. Mankind was reunited with God. History pivoted in a new direction. Conquering death, Jesus enabled you to conquer death.
Imagine the pit of hopelessness you would be trapped in if not for this event which changed the course of your very life. Forgiveness. Freedom. Eternal life! Despair turns to Celebration. Hallelujah!
Pray:
“This season, Jesus, we pray that everyone celebrating your birth, will also understand your destiny. Not simply your death, but your sacrifice and resurrection. The conquering moment they can have as their own.”