Have you noticed we so often reserve talk of resurrection to Easter? We don't factor it in to our lives on a daily basis.
I found myself thinking about this after we read the account of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus in morning prayers. I was struck by, even at the point of death, resurrection power was showing up as tombs were opened. I observed that the authorities went to great effort to make sure resurrection couldn’t happen by guarding the tomb and sealing it up - but that couldn’t stop Jesus being raised. It reminded me that throughout Jesus’ life He showed resurrection power….. you couldn’t miss it - like a foretaste of what was to come.
The true state of a disciple of Jesus is to be one who lives in resurrection power. Jesus modelled it, lived it, and set it before us and therefore we are called to live it as well. How do we do this? Well, watch what I said last Sunday night https://www.youtube.com/live/YsILmLppcV0?feature=shared
Maybe the thing I would most highlight is what I learned from watching Gladiators the TV show. Those familiar with it will know that the last and most difficult part of the final challenge is the Travellator. Contestants have to run up an incline of 30 degrees, moving at 13mph against them. By this point, they are exhausted by the other challenges they have completed - many fall and end up sliding down to the bottom. One contestant found himself at the bottom of the travellator and the referee was overheard encouraging him - “keep your eyes on the top of it… don’t look down…. keep your eyes up”. This is what we must do to live in resurrection life - stay focussed on the resurrection- it’s where the joy, the encouragement and the power is.
Reverend Canon Mark Carey Christ Church Bridlington Network