My Redeemer Lives

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
(Job 19:25)

Meditation

The one who was innocent of any sin, who died for us on the cross, who was raised from the dead after three days, who ascended into heaven…he lives! The empty tomb proves it. Had he not risen from the dead, the Jewish leaders would have quickly produced his body. If Jesus hadn’t been supernaturally resurrected, the Roman guards would have still been standing at the grave on that Sunday morning. If he hadn’t come back to life, there wouldn’t have been about 500 witnesses who saw him. If he were not alive, the Apostles would have never willingly died for what they knew to be a lie. If Jesus was still in the grave, this cult of Christ would have quickly died out. He is in heaven waiting for the Father tell him it time to return.
Jesus’ first Advent was about serving mankind by providing a way to be redeemed to the Father. Then, he was willingly sacrificed upon the cross, shedding his blood to cleanse us from our wickedness. His second Advent will be much different for the people alive in those days. He will not be a humble servant to all, but a wrathful judge. On that great and terrible Day of the Lord, Jesus will come to bring the Father’s judgment upon those who haven’t repented. After the final battle has been fought, after the last shout has been yelled, after the last fist has been shaken at heaven in defiance of God’s will...Jesus will still be standing here! Nothing will prevent the return of the King of kings to reign and rule over this world for a thousand years.
It took me way too long to end my rebellion against God. Now that I have, I know my redeemer lives. I have the proof in my own heart. If you could look into my heart, you would see his Spirit there. I sank into the waters of baptism a filthy sinner. I arose from that symbolic grave, washed clean, a new creation. The Lord’s love has filled all those empty spaces in my heart, so I don’t hate anymore. I have a new purpose in my life that wasn’t there before I met Jesus. I know I will be standing with Jesus when he returns. If you will submit to his plan for your life, you will be standing there too, basking in a love you've never experienced before! However, you have to choose Jesus this side of the grave. If you should happen to die before you submit to Jesus, it will be too late, and hell is where you’ll go.




Daily Prayer

Father God, there are no words adequate enough to describe your beauty. The brilliance of your majesty is apparent with the love you show us every day. You sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins, so why is it so hard for us to take a hold of that and accept it for what it is; our only hope for salvation. He is our redeemer, and we know he is alive and sitting at your right hand. Being God himself, the grave could not hold Jesus, and so he lives and will live forever. You loved us so much, you gave us your Son, not to condemn us, but to save us from our own wickedness. We thank you, Jesus, for being the firstfruits of the resurrection to prove death is not the end. We long for your return to collect your Church, that we might be with you forever. Thank you for that promise of the kingdom to come. Strengthen our resolve to share the good news of Jesus with those who haven’t submitted to your will for their lives. It’s in his name, we pray. Amen!

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