April 16 Resurrection Power for our LIFE Together.
Scripture to Remember:
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you Romans 8:11
Gospel Story: Luke 24:35-49 Jesus stands “suddenly among them”
1 Peter 3: 8-9 8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
ACTS 2:42-47 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[i]), and to prayer.43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[j]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Reflection: I love the moment when the disciples are in the middle of recounting their Emmaus road story we read “Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them”. (Luke 24:36). There is something powerful about the resurrected Jesus’ presence with us together.
As a young 18 year I had already be significantly impacted by resurrection community life - doing life with people who have met and decided to do life with Jesus. I’m in theatre school. I can’t remember what the context of our group discussion was. But i do remember me explaining, no matter how intimate and real and deep our little theatre class was, nothing compared to the life I tasted walking with people who understood resurrection power. Not one of my most humble moments. But evidence of resurrection power in our life together.
Later in my early 20’s I would drive to Toronto to support Drew as he begins seminary. This is how our weekly meetings began. One time, both of us have our guitars to worship together. He always humours me as he is the real musician. But this one afternoon we both struck the wrong chords, couldn’t find the lyrics and Holy Spirit showed up. Real tangible presence of God discernible by both of at the same time. Something that would repeat almost as many times as we would come together to meet and pray.
Reread the portions of Scripture from Acts 2 quoted above. You can’t miss the fact that the resurrection wasn’t just a one time thing. It’s an moment in history that will shape our personal history “at home”, while we are “on the move” and especially as community of faith, in our “life together”!
This truth Peter understood. What amazes me is how practical resurrection power is when it comes to our life together. Marinate in the truth that the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you and will give life to you! The practical side of this truth expressed by Peter:
“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
I live for this!!! Resurrection power finding expression in our life “TOGETHER”. THANK YOU JESUS!