Rise Up

As we read about Jesus and His last week on earth (before ascending to heaven), it is important to realize He experienced all things to the extreme. On the evening of His last supper, He experienced humility to the extreme by washing the feet of his disciples. The next day, Jesus experienced suffering to the extreme when He was betrayed, mocked, beaten, nailed to a cross and pierced with a sword. And today, we celebrate the greatest extreme of all: Jesus rose up from the grave to sit at the right hand of the Father.

There are many examples of people rising up in the Bible. In John (11:1-44) we read of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. On its surface, this passage reads about the physical death (knocking down) and resurrection (rising up) of Lazarus. There is no doubt that this is one of the wondrous miracles performed by Jesus during His time on earth. But what if Lazarus rising (up) from the dead also revealed something else? By allowing Lazarus to die, Jesus provided an opportunity for the glory of God to be revealed in his resurrection. Look in verse 24 where he tells Martha, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

In The Book of Mark (5:22-24, 35-42) Jesus goes to a young girl who is feared dead. As Jesus stood over the girl, He proclaimed that she was not dead but simply asleep and the world laughed at Him (as it often does to you and I about our faith). Despite their laughter and disbelief, Jesus simply took the young girl by her hand and said, Arise.

We also read in The Book of Acts where Jesus knocked Saul down physically, mentally and spiritually in order for Him to transform his life and become one of, if not the greatest evangelists of all time.

Are you feeling knocked down? Is your faith being challenged? Do times seem tough? Or, is God knocking at your door as He did in The Book of Revelation 3:20). If so, I offer you the same advice my Father offered me: RISE UP!

Pastor Aaron