Title: Resurrection of Life (John 20:1-18)
Content 1. Today is the Sunday commemorating the resurrection of Christ. Victor hugo said, "In the purpose of life, the purpose of today is to fight, the purpose of tomorrow is to win, and the purpose of life is to die well." The ancients thought that dying well was important. But Christianity is the religion of life. There is nothing in the world more fearful than death. Because of the fear of death, people go crazy or have physical abnormalities. Christians are beyond death. The power to not be afraid of death and to overcome even the violence of the world comes from faith in the resurrection. The life of the unrighteous is a resurrection of judgment to death, but for those who believe it will be a resurrection of life for the grace of eternal life, the Bible declares to us (John 5:29).
2. Let's become saints who participate in the resurrection of life. If you are not interested in Christ, you cannot participate in the resurrection. When we are in Christ, there is life and resurrection. (1 John 2:24-25) Don't focus only on the greed of the present, but become a saint who has the right consciousness for your own spiritual future. When you meet Christ, your eyes will be opened, your heart will be opened, your view of the world will change, and you will become a saint who participates in the work of the Lord. Without participating in the suffering and work of the Lord, there is no resurrection of eternal life. Spiritual saints who live for the Lord, for people, and for the world become a people who already have life in Christ. For the future of eternal life, we must live a life worthy of the holy calling. (1 Peter 3:8-11) We must become saints who participate in God's final calling that makes us exist (1 Peter 2:9).
4. Let's become saints who preach the resurrection of life. Stephen was an evangelist who overcame the pain of death and looked to the glory of Jesus (Acts 3:11-16). The spiritual motive we need must be Christ. The way of life doesn't seem like a good way or a broad way. (Matthew 7:14) However, when you are with Christ, there is life and abundance. (John 10:10) If you pursue vain things, you will find pain in the flesh. Then, both material and human beings will be lost. The Apostle Paul said that the steps of an evangelist are truly beautiful. (Romans 10:14-15) The ministry of preaching life, truth, resurrection, and the kingdom of God is more precious than any other work in the world. The word of the Lord is the life-giving power of the Lord (Hebrews 4:12-14).
weekly prayer
The Lord who welcomes the morning of the resurrection with joy,
We confess that the unchanging new spring is the Lord's holy grace and eternal love for us. I give thanks and praise for guiding me to live a life that reveals the glory of the Lord while always thinking of the Lord's hand.
Please guide us so that we become more like the goodness of the Lord, not the souls who are oppressed by the harsh winds and waves of the world and the weak who have lost their dreams and hopes. Enrich the empty life, the withered soul, and give me the courage to take a powerful leap towards a new future. Give me fervent faith and strong power to keep your covenant with you and serve with all your might.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the source of new life. Amen
【Time to Meditation: Praise in Prison】
It happened during the reign of King Louis XIV of France. He said, "The burden is the country." While shouting, he completed the Palace of Versailles and spread the authority of France to the world. However, as a Catholic, he took the lead in disrupting Protestantism. He did not acknowledge freedom of religion and persecuted, arrested Theosolf for violating the edict and imprisoned him in a high prison in the Tower of Paris.
Just in time for Easter, he marched through the streets of Paris with a splendid Easter procession in imperial majesty. Seeing the procession from the top of the high prison tower, Theosolf, inspired by heaven, began to sing the Easter hymns vigorously.
"Hallelujah, our Jesus has risen to heaven
When the world praises them, angels respond."
As the hymns sounded, the emperor stopped his steps and listened. This hymn struck the conscience of Louis XIV as he marched through the prison tower in triumph. The fact that the resurrected Lord became 'King of kings' made him humble. And it gave a great shock and remorse to the soul of the emperor.
The emperor set up a procession for the resurrection festival and went into the prison and took Theosolf's hand. Then, begging for his mistake, he released Theosolf and made him a free man of faith.