S - 1
Peter 1:3-5, 18-21 (NIV): "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith
are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to
be revealed in the last time. … For you know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life
handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of
Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of
the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you
believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your
faith and hope are in God."
O -
Faith and hope in God are not based on the crucifixion of Jesus but the
resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The
resurrection is the context of all Kingdom living (the reality which engages
all the rest) not the crucifixion. This
does not minimize anything about the cross and blood of Jesus but rather
connects the same with this reality.
Jesus is life. Everything in
God's kingdom lives (stones, words, water, sacrifices, bread, faith, hope, etc.); and it is a
vibrant, irrepressible life. The resurrection can be understood but defies
detailed explanation. The crucifixion
has been dissected to the millionth part … a dissection which wants to shift us from the
Person who is the Gospel to information about the Gospel. The resurrection keeps us focused on the
Person and his Presence. Like the
crucifixion, all of our understanding must give way to the resurrection of
Jesus of from the dead. His
resurrection is the proof of his person, his position and the forgiveness of
our sins. 1 Peter 3:21-22 says: "and this water symbolizes baptism that
now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a
good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities
and powers in submission to him."
A -
Today everything is possible for him who believes because Jesus has been raised
from the dead. Today, I am assured of my
adoption and place in God's kingdom and family by the same reality. The cross, like the Lord's nativity, is
essential but not the point. Jesus'
coming was and is all about life, life to the full because he is life. Today I get to ask for, welcome, expect,
experience and share the vibrant, irrepressible, refreshing and death defying
life and person of Jesus. He calls me to himself to live in him and with him
even as he lives in and with his Father.
P - Lord
who is life and the exact representation of God,
Thank you wanting us
always. Thank you for wanting all. Thank you for loving us first, most and for
refusing to change your mind. Cause your
life to come into me/us and to come out of us.
In Them,
Steve
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