The Lord of Life

On this Easter Sunday we Christians celebrate the day of all days, the life of all lives, the victory of all victories.  On that Easter Sunday morning, before the sun rose over the eastern horizon, the Son of Light had risen from the tomb.  The FACT that Jesus arose physically, materially, really, and gloriously is not to be disputed by serious students of the biblical text.  But we must ask, "WHY is this glorious fact significant?"

This is significant because of the gift of life that Jesus gives to all who trust in Him as Savior and Lord.  "Because I live", said Jesus, "you shall live also (John 14:19)."  Yes, sweet Jesus, You live, indeed you live.  I rejoice in Your victory and life.  But because You live, I shall live also!  I do now live.  I live the life of God living in me.  I live that mystical, transcendent existence that comes from experiencing and knowing that God lives in the life of humanity.  What joy, peace, love, and hope abounds and supersedes the greatest trial.  The light of life glows with an other worldly job because of the living Jesus. 

But more, yes more, I shall never die because I am living the life of Jesus, the resurrected Lord of Life.  Jesus said, "He who believes in Me will never die (John 11:26)."  I will never die; how can that eternal life ever cease to live?  The living Christ, living in me, will ever live within the context of the saved sinner's soul.  And one day, by the promise and grace of God, my grave will open and my mortal remains will shine with ethereal glory, fashioned after the exalted Christ. And I will forever be with the Lord in His place of love, holiness, and light.  

Yes, Jesus is the Lord of life, and those who know Him, receive Him, live in Him, will live forever in glory.

"Behold, the Man!"

"Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him.  And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' and to give Him slaps in the face.  Pilate came out again and said to them, 'Behold...I find no guilt in Him.'  Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, 'Behold, the Man!"  (Gospel of John 19:1-5)

On this Good Friday, let us BEHOLD THE MAN!

Behold the man who is also God, full of grace and truth, expressing in life, mind, and words the heart of God the Father, about whom the angels sang on that starlit night over Bethlehem.

Behold the man who is the perfect servant of the heavenly Father doing His will and being obedient to the Father to the point of death upon the cross.

Behold the man who bears the weight of the sinner's guilt; counted as guilty before the Law and God's justice, enduring the full force of divine wrath and punishment that the sinner may go free.

Behold the man who loves His sheep so much that He gives Himself them.

Behold the man who sees the light of glory glistening over the distant horizon where time and eternity will be changed because of the cross, and as such gives Himself to the malevolent deeds of sinners for the "joy set before Him."

Behold the man who will purchase the sinner's forgiveness and justified state in His blood.

Behold the man who will rise again in glorious triumph over death.

Behold the man who will ascend to the right hand of God the Father to intercede for His darling church.

Behold the man who will come again to take His rightful place before the world and history as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Behold the man who will one day kiss His church-bride full mouth with joy and love, and take her home to His heavenly place where they will live in eternal bliss shining with divine glory.

Yes, with joy, awe, wonder, mystery, and love - BEHOLD THE MAN!