Devotional thoughts for Sunday

Sunday 5. October 2014

Trinity 16 

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! (Psalm 118,24 ESV)   

Jesus said: I AM the Resurrection and the Life; whoever believes in Me, though he may die, yet he will live. (John 11,25, ESV) 

This verse is one of the most beloved and memorized verses in all of Holy Scripture. This verse brings comfort when mourning a death or struggling with some trial. This verse speaks of hope and promise . 

God had made mankind in His image and likeness. Men and women were created to be in perfect fellowship with the Triune God for all eternity. Sin and rebellion changed that dynamic. Mankind was driven out of Eden and forbidden to eat the once allowable fruit from the tree of life. 

But God did not end with punishment and the curse. Sin yields death and separation from God, but God would not have sin, death and the devil have the victory. God the Father sent His own Son into the world to restore mankind back to fellowship with God. The final enemy of mankind is death and the grave. Jesus overcame those enemies, as is vividly seen when He raised Lazarus from death and the grave. This is a foretaste of what Jesus would do Himself three days after His crucifixion, and it is a promise of what Jesus will do for all of us on the last day. 

We were created to be in eternal fellowship with the Triune God, and Jesus has instituted the new testament that guarantees that fellowship. Let us rejoice and worship Him for that great gift. 

Prayer: O Jesus Christ, Thou Resurrection and Life, send forth the Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and trust in You so that when death stares us in the face we know that You have conquered death and the grave and that You will bring us safely through to be in Your eternal presence.  Amen.