‘He who raised up the Lord Jesus…’

(2cor. 4:14): Meditation For The First Week After Easter
Introduction
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that has happened on earth for the good of man since the world began. It means the death of death and the gateway to eternal life. It is a proof of God’s power, propelled by His love for man. One important thing to note is that in raising Jesus from death, God actually had man in mind – to grant life to the dying and “die-able” part of his life.

The fact of the Resurrection of Jesus shows that God has done great thing, proves that He is capable of doing great things and assures that He will do great things. Easter thus calls to mind not only the ability God’s power, but also His love for man and willingness to continue mighty deliverance works for him. The challenges, problems and afflictions that Christians might be passing through are like death situations. He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus. It is an assurance.

Our Response
What is the “worthship” of God, in view of the Easter Event? Easter draws our attention to the powerful loving God and what He’s worth. Our witnessing the mighty works of God (what He has done and is doing) should compel us to adore and obey Him. He who raised up the Lord Jesus from death deserves our worship, love and obedience. Indeed, these are required of us. We need to worship and submit to Him. The Lord has continued to do mighty things in and around us and needs to be personally appreciated. The Lord’s doings in our lives should result in our worshipping, loving and submitting to Him.

God’s mighty works of deliverance should be personally experienced and appreciated. Testimonies should not just be of others, but of and from ourselves. God who did great things in the past will do them again, provided the people are faithful. The lessons from life experience, past and present, and the glimpses into the future give us many opportunities to strengthen our faith in God.

Reflections on the Bible Readings for the Sunday Mattins (Morning Service)
The OT passage (Deut. 11:1-15) is a call to love and obey God. Israel had strong reasons to believe in God and obey His commands. They had witnessed a parade of mighty miracles that demonstrated God’s love and care for them. Moses underscored personal experience and the committed life that flowed from it. As a result of God’s great deeds, which they saw, they were urged to obey the commands of God, if they were to see even greater deeds of God. God would take them to the Promised Land and immensely bless them.

In the NT passage (2 Cor. 4:5-end), Paul expressed his refusal to let his circumstances dictate to him what he should believe. He was facing sufferings, but he was not discouraged. He and his fellow-apostles steadfastly believed that the Almighty God, Who raised up Christ from the dead, would in like manner raise them from the grave of their sufferings. They would all meet in the morning of the resurrection, and be presented to God as the redeemed. The believers in Corinth had been struggling with the doctrine of the Resurrection. In response, Paul had written much to explain why the Resurrection is a central doctrine of the Christian faith. With his sights always set on the glories of God’s Kingdom, Paul didn’t have any reason to be ashamed (Rom. 1:16; see also Heb. 12:2).

Conclusion
No matter the intensity of the suffering and affliction of the children/servants of God in this life, we are to have faith in God for a joyful deliverance. “…We believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up… that grace…may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2Cor. 4:13-15)
The Venerable Dr Princewill Onyinyechukwu Ireoba is the Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
princewillireoba@gmail.com, trinityfoundationibrucentre@gmail.com