RISEN WITH HIM
“If you then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ sits on the right hand of God.” - Colossians 3:1
Soon
the entire Western world will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ
from the dead. Such a celebration will call for inspiring music, altars decked
with lilies, and sermons from pulpits proclaiming victory of life over death.
The pageantry of Easter attracts millions to their respective churches.
Unfortunately, a day or two later, all will be more or less forgotten by most
in the renewed pursuit of the various cares, wants, and ambitions of this
present life.
However,
to every believer, the death and resurrection of our Lord is a very fundamental
truth, for it holds a promise of eternal life. “As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians
The
resurrection of our Lord, then, is most significant to us, for it is the basis of
this glorious hope, and on many other precious promises of one day living and
reigning with the Lord in His Kingdom, and being with Him for all eternity.
This should stimulate us to set our affections on things above, where Christ is
seated at the right hand of God. It should cause us to fix our eyes of faith
steadily on this lovely vision as the goal of life, despite the afflictions,
setbacks, disappointments and losses, which befalls all the children of God.
What
is it to be “risen with Christ?” This means that we are now dead to self, and alive as new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians
This,
then, is the Easter message to us whose goal is to follow in the footsteps of
our beloved Master. Remembering His resurrection increases our faith and
brightens our hope, thus making the things of this
earth dim to our sight and
even unattractive to us. Thus inspired, and seeking first the
Let
us also remember that one of the first instructions that the angel gave the
women who had come to the tomb was to go
and tell others the Good News that He was no longer dead, but risen (Matt.
28:7). What a magnificent message it was to share with the disciples.
The
Risen Lord told His disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). This command
is still in effect today, and thus it is still appropriate for us to carry this
wondrous message near and far. The joy, which the knowledge of the Risen Lord
brings to our hearts, will be greatly increased if we share these glad tidings
with others. Yes, our Master is still saying to His disciples, to you and me, “Go …and tell.” Are we being obedient to Him? If we have been
slack, why not start with renewed zeal this Easter Sunday? There could be no
better time. G. Boccaccio
So Send I You
“…As the Father has sent Me, so send I you.” - John 20:21
So send I
you to take to souls in bondage
The Word of truth that sets the
captive free,
To break the bonds of sin, to loose
death’s fetters;
So send I
you, to bring the lost to me.
So send I
you My strength to know in weakness,
My joy in grief, My
perfect peace in pain,
To prove My
power, My grace, My promised Presence;
So send I
you, eternal fruit to gain
So send I
you to bear My cross in patience,
And then one day with joy to lay it
down,
To hear My
voice, “Well done my faithful servant,
Come share My throne, My kingdom and My crown.”
Chas. Gabriel