Raised and Raised: Cause for Blessing!

“On the first day of the week,.. they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but… not the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were perplexed.., two men stood by in dazzling apparel… [and] said, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen… And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told these things to the eleven and the rest… Peter ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling…

“As they were talking about these things, Jesus… said, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled… He said, ‘Why are you troubled..? See my hands and my feet… Touch me, and see…’ They disbelieved for joy and were marveling…

“Then he said, ‘These are my words I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me… must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,.. ‘That the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name…’

“Lifting up his hands he blessed them. He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” Luke 24:1-6,8-9,12,36-39,41,44-47,50-53

Following Jesus during his earthly ministry in the tangle of teaching and travel, the disciples’ focus was horizontal. Although Jesus often spoke of His death and resurrection, they were caught up in the challenges of every day life on the dusty earth they walked with Him. When He was lifted on the cross, their eyes squinted upward as emotions wrangled, yet they did not understand how His words would be fulfilled. His resurrection brought new marveling, and His ascension, an even higher blessing. Now they would increasingly and finally grasp how He had and would fulfill scriptures. Hope filled them with joy and blessing.

During the daily drudge of this world’s sojourn, we can forget to look up and marvel at the Lord lifted high. Truly, His body was raised from death and carried up to heaven, and the meaning for us in both of those lifts is life-giving. His resurrection assures victory over sin’s penalty and power, His ascension promises ongoing intercession and hope of heaven. (Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:31-34; Revelation 4:2-11)

How can the raising of Christ raise our spirits today? Raise our sense of calling and heavenly purpose because He died and rose for us? Raise us from anxiety, fear, intimidation because He overcame defeat, destruction, and death? Raise us from shame and self-deprecation because His rising is a pledge to put to death forever our sins’ consequences? Raise our hope and anticipation because He makes a glorious way for eternal significance?

Jesus was raised from death and to heaven to fulfill His word for us and to His Father’s glory. How will we apply the meaning to our besetting follies and doldrums, so we marvel and bless His name?

“Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

“No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, lift my sights and spirits to behold and be like You, so you are exalted.