Spirit
Celebrating Our Risen Lord
By Linda Rex
May 4, 2025, 3rd Sunday in Easter—This past Sunday, at our Grace Communion congregation here in Big Sandy, TX, we gathered together to joyfully celebrate our resurrected Lord, and to take communion together. It was fitting that we also celebrated a confirmation and several baptisms on Resurrection Sunday. What a profound statement about how Jesus has brought us new life!
As I was reading the New Testament passage for the third Sunday in Easter, Revelation 5:11–14, I noticed the apostle John used a lot of dramatic language to describe the joyful celebration which goes on in the presence of our heavenly Father. The vast multitudes offered praise to him and to his Son, who as a willing sacrifice offered himself as a Lamb for our sakes. The magnitude of heavenly celebration was beyond John’s ability to easily convey. He pulled in words like “myriads” in the Greek because he didn’t have anything larger than that to show what in our language, we would call millions and billions. Overwhelmed with the number of angels giving praise, he then saw our entire universe respond with even more praise to the Father and the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
But how did Jesus, the Lamb of God, come to be worthy of such praise? Within the passage, we see that Jesus is worthy of all praise and honor and glory because, as the Son of God, he came and laid down his life for us. This speaks to our need to follow the Savior’s lead when it comes to the sevenfold collection of praiseworthy items mentioned by John: power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. He uses the number seven to remind us it is complete and ultimate. And he shows that Jesus is worthy of all of these things. What makes this divine human so worthy?
Too often our focus in this life is on acquiring and having these very things. In and of themselves, these are not necessarily bad things. We like to have the power to make decisions and have them honored. We like to have wealth, because we believe it opens up opportunities for us. Wisdom is a good thing to have—it helps us make good decisions and have better lives. It feels good to be justly honored for the things we have done. And performers, when they take the stage, would love to have the glory that comes with the approval and admiration of their fans. And most people I know would love to receive some sort of blessing from those around them.
But the path to having these things in their ultimate completeness is the path the Son of God took: human life, death by crucifixion, followed by resurrection and ascension. Jesus was willing to go to the bottom of all our human experience, even into death itself, in order to bring humanity with him home to his Father in the Spirit. And Jesus said, if we are to be his disciples, we are to deny ourselves, pick up our own cross (whatever that may be), and to follow him, wherever he goes (Matt. 16:24; 10:38; Mark 8:34). And in the case of the first disciples of Christ, that was to the cross—not that they hung on the cross themselves, but that they participated with Jesus in his sacrificial offering on behalf of all humanity. And one day, for most of these disciples, that participation actually included their own sacrificial self-offering. It is said that Peter, at death, refused to die crucified like Christ—he asked his captors to crucify him upside down instead.
Speaking of Peter, we are drawn to the Gospel passage for this Sunday, John 21:1–19, where Peter takes six other disciples out to fish following the resurrection of Jesus Christ (notice John’s use of seven again). Did they feel at loose ends, not knowing what was going to happen next? I’m pretty sure that Peter’s last encounters with the Lord, including his rejection of Jesus, were playing through his mind as he cast one more net into the sea. I love Jesus’ sense of humor, for he once again asks them to cast their net on the other side of the boat when he hears they haven’t caught anything. And they actually did it! It is no wonder, that when their nets began to fill up to overflowing, that John says to Peter, “It is the Lord!” How could anyone forget their initial encounter with Jesus when he did this very thing for them!
Notice the quiet humility and grace with which the risen Lord meets with his disciples and reconciles with Peter. This Lord is worthy of all power, honor, glory, and blessing, and here he is, baking bread, frying fish, and feeding his disciples. Even in the supreme glory of his risen majesty, Jesus comes to humanity as a servant, a loving mentor, and a friend. In the heavenly glories, Jesus is celebrated as the slain Lamb of God, while we, here on earth, know him as the indwelling Christ by the Spirit—the One who is ever present and available, caring and concerned. May we freely participate in the praise and worship of Jesus, God in humanity, who is Lord of all, both now and on into eternity. And by the Spirit, may we faithfully participate fully in his humble service and grace toward others, and in his freely offered sacrifice on behalf of all, in his name. Amen and amen.
We celebrate you, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit! How awesome and wonderful you are! You are worthy of all power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. Heavenly Spirit, may we humbly and faithful truly reflect your triune glory and majesty, in your name, Jesus, now and forever. Amen.
“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.’ And the four living beings said, ‘Amen!’ And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.” Revelation 5:11–14 NASB
See also John 21:1–19 NASB.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
Dear friends and spiritual family,
I have come to the place that I must step away from actively writing, recording, and posting a sermon blog, questions, and video each week, so that I can fully participate in our local Grace Communion Big Sandy ministry as Hope Avenue champion, and care for my family, my community, and my health. I also have writing, copyediting, and seminary responsibilities to fulfill. I simply cannot do all that is being asked of me.
Over the years, I have created an archive on the Our Life in the Trinity Studies page (https://ourlifeinthetrinitystudies.wordpress.com) where you can find questions, blogs, and video sermons for each week according to the Revised Common Lectionary three-year cycle. Weekly video sermons with playlists according to the lectionary year and season are on the YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ourlifeinthetrinity). I encourage you to check these out and make use of them in your studies and preaching.
Thank you for your support and encouragement and prayers over the years. I am very grateful for each and every one of you who has joined with me along the way. I wish you all God’s best. I am still available via the contact information on the site and on Facebook, should you need to reach out.
Blessings, Linda
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Our Faithful Witness
By Linda Rex
April 27, 2025, 2nd Sunday in Easter—During this particular cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary, the New Testament passages are drawn from the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the apostle John. There has been so much published about this particular book of the Bible, we may have a lot of preconceived ideas about what it is about and what is in it. One thing we can be sure of is that John tells us that in it, he is testifying to God’s word and to Jesus Christ.
John begins his book, which is filled with imagery and visions and pictures and numbers, with a focus on the One the book is written about—our Lord Jesus Christ—and his Father, and the Spirit. In our passage for this Sunday, Revelation 1:4–8, he shows the purpose of Jesus’ sacrificial self-offering: our freedom from sin and the building up of his kingdom of priests who serve his heavenly Father.
John draws upon the imagery of the Old Testament to help his readers grasp the magnitude of what Jesus Christ has done. In Exodus 19:6, God told his covenant people, the ancient nation of Israel they would be this very thing, which Jesus fulfilled and expanded to include believers of all nations: “… and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” There is great hope in realizing that what God promised his people—what he determined they were created and meant to be—he accomplished, in his own self-offering in Jesus Christ.
Throughout this book of Revelation, John helps his readers—people who were experiencing great persecution and tribulation—to see that Jesus Christ is the slain Lamb of God who has rescued all of us from sin and death, and who does and will reign triumphantly over all. John reminds those who are threatened, harassed, and battered by the evil, sin, wickedness, and death in their culture and in their lives, that Jesus is Lord of all, and in the end, our triune God wins.
The final pictures of this book show God coming to dwell with humans in the new heaven and earth—this was always God’s plan. The God who did this and is doing this and will do this is the I Am of the Old Testament, the triune God who created all things, who made ancient Israel his covenant nation, who came in the person of Jesus Christ the Son of God to fulfill all his promises, and who came in the person of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost following Jesus’ death and resurrection.
In the meantime, we find much hope and peace in knowing who this triune God is. As we open ourselves up to God and receive his grace and peace, we are able to grow in our relationship with him. We come to see who Jesus Christ is and what he has done for us. Jesus is the perfect expression of who God is, was, and will be in his love for each and every human being. Indeed, in Jesus, we see that there is no part of our human existence that Jesus was not willing to enter into and participate in. He was tempted in every way, yet he did not sin. He bore our sorrows, carried our griefs, and embraced our weakness. God, in Christ, has met us at our lowest point, even the depths of suffering and death, to bring us up in the resurrection into eternal life in face-to-face union and communion with our heavenly Father in the Spirit.
What was brought to my mind this week about this passage was that in the ancient nation of Israel, the priesthood was named to be held by those who were of the tribe of Levi. These Levites were not given an inheritance in the land or nation. Their inheritance was the Lord and the care of his tabernacle or temple. Can you see how this carries forward into this passage which the apostle John wrote?
Jesus has created a called-out people whose only inheritance is himself. We are brought together by the Spirit into the Body of Christ, the Church, to be a kingdom of priests who serve our heavenly Father. We serve a representative role on behalf of the entire world, as a united body of people who are meant to reflect and serve the triune God, and to point others to him by our love for one another, and for the world.
Jesus is the High Priest, and intercedes in the heavenlies with his Father in the Spirit. He is the Faithful Witness to our triune God. We participate in what he is doing in our intercessions for one another in the Spirit through prayer. We participate in Jesus’ own priestly mission in this world, as we share the good news of all he has done, is doing, and will do, with those around us in both our words and our actions.
Because Jesus reigns in glory and is faithfully interceding on our behalf, standing in our place, we can have great hope and look forward with much anticipation to see all God is going to do for us, no matter how difficult, painful, or dangerous our circumstances or situations may get. So, we continue to bear faithful witness as our participation in Christ, the Faithful Witness of our Father in the Spirit.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us such great hope in your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for embracing us in your self-offering as the Lamb of God. Thank you for giving us your Spirit, and being present in us and with us through every difficulty and struggle. Grant us the grace to faithfully bear witness to you in each moment by being a true reflection of your glory, through Jesus our Lord and by your Spirit. Amen.
“John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. ‘Behold, He is coming with the clouds’, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’ ” Revelation 1:4–8 NASB
“… Jesus said to him, ‘Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.’ Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:(19–29) 30–31 NASB
“When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:27–32
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Our Hope in Christ
By Linda Rex
April 20, 2025, Resurrection of the Lord | Easter—He is risen! He is risen indeed! As we come to this Resurrection Sunday, we enter into this new season with joy and gratitude for all Jesus Christ has done for us in his life, death, and resurrection. We look forward to celebrating the ascension of our Lord, and at Pentecost, the giving of his Holy Spirit from our heavenly Father.
In our first New Testament passage for this Sunday, 1 Corinthians 15:19–26, the apostle Paul reminds us that the hope we have in Jesus is not just for this life, but is also for the life to come. This begs the question—what is most important to us? Are we focused on what we can get out of this life? Are we focused on what we can experience right now? Or do we understand there is much more to real life than just this current human existence?
When God created this cosmos, he made wonderful, amazing things beyond our ability to count or fully measure. He gave us intricate, marvelous bodies and minds, which enable us to do tremendous things, especially when we work together in community with others. Our world is full of beautiful, and ugly, and strange, plants and animals, fish, and birds. The huge variety of insects blows my mind, not to mention the intricate and delicate creatures that are so small, they cannot be seen with the naked eye. But every one of these creatures and people will one day die.
We have given much to enjoy. And what a wonderful planet we get to live on! How marvelous that we have air to breathe and water to drink—when we don’t, it becomes a tragic problem. Apart from the grace of God, though, human beings have no way of ensuring that our life on our precious earth will outlast our human proclivity for self-destruction. I was looking at the Doomsday Clock, and according to Google’s AI, in 2025, the Doomsday Clock was set to 89 seconds to midnight. Our human efforts to avoid this catastrophe seem to be limited, and apart from God’s grace, we really have no hope for tomorrow.
The reason we struggle is because we really are very much like the biblical first man, Adam, who set aside his freedom to walk and talk with his Creator, in order to go his own way. He and Eve could have chosen to eat from the tree of life and all the others trees and plants in the garden of Eden. But instead, they chose to reject God’s invitation, and to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By choosing to decide for themselves what it means to truly live, humans brought death into their world.
How often do our choices as human beings bring about death instead life! Think about your own personal history—have you made some choices in your life that took you down the wrong road? Have you experienced death to your plans, death to your dreams, even the death of those near and dear to you? If we are honest with ourselves, we have to admit that in our own lives, we are not much different than Adam. Death is a natural part of our human existence, and coming to the place of annihilating ourselves in some manner is not that strange a phenomenon for many of us.
This is why the apostle Paul says that if our only hope in Christ is in this life, we are pitiful creatures. Our hope is in the One who lived our life, died our death, and rose again. Jesus Christ’ bodily resurrection means that you and I not only have hope in this life, but also for the life to come. Death is the natural outcome of our human existence, but because of Jesus, we have hope that one day, we will live again. When Jesus returns in glory and ushers in a new heaven and earth, we will be given what the apostle Paul calls spiritual bodies. In that day, we will live a brand-new existence in an even more marvelous environment, in the presence of our Triune God. What a hope we have been given because Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed!
This life becomes fuller and more wonderful when we recognize and begin to live in the reality that, in Christ, we are God’s own adopted, beloved children. When we realize that we are forgiven, accepted, and included in the life and love of our Triune God, our whole existence changes. When we open ourselves up to reality that we have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, all of a sudden, we are met with the comfort and peace of a divine personal Companion and Friend, who never leaves us, but is always with us. We discover that we have a heavenly Father who adores us, and wants to be with us from now on, into eternity.
Life in this world, becomes richer, as we participate in our spiritual family, the Church. And our hope for eternity grows brighter, for we know that these relationships will not come to an end, but only grow deeper and healthier and happier in the world to come. We have great reason to hope, not just in this life, but in the life to come, because Jesus is risen. He is risen indeed!
Our heavenly Father, thank you for loving so much, that you determined from the beginning to include us in your life and love. Thank you, Jesus, for sharing our human existence, so that one day we may share in your life with your Father in the Spirit in the new heaven and earth. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for not only breathing life into us, but giving us new life in and through Jesus. May we ever celebrate our participation in Jesus’ death and resurrection, with gratitude and praise. Amen.
“If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:19–26 NASB
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; and there will no longer be heard in her the voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his days; for the youth will die at the age of one hundred and the one who does not reach the age of one hundred will be thought accursed. They will build houses and inhabit them; they will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and another inhabit, they will not plant and another eat; for as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, and My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity; for they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, and their descendants with them. It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,’ says the LORD.” Isaiah 65:17–25 NASB
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The Grace of Humility
By Linda Rex
April 13, 2025, (Palm Sunday or) Passion Sunday—One of the ways in which followers of Jesus Christ are intended to live counterculturally is through humble service. Years ago, it was common for people in the community to be actively involved in service clubs and in helping out when there were community events. Finding time to serve others and our community can be a real challenge, with the demands of work, family, and church responsibilities crying out for our full attention.
Within one of the gospel readings for this Palm or Passion Sunday, we see Jesus sitting at a last meal with his disciples before his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus has been painfully listening to a debate between his disciples regarding who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. What was on Jesus’ mind, that he had tried to bring to their attention, was that there was a person at the table who was going to betray him. But they were focused on positions of power within the new kingdom. It did not occur to them at all, even with Jesus telling them, the exact price Jesus was going to have to pay for them to be a part of the kingdom of God.
Jesus reminded them that as their rabbi and teacher, he was present among them, not as an oppressive, arrogant ruler, but as a humble servant. The one who served them was the greatest, not the one who was served. This was hard for them to get their mind around. He promised the twelve disciples their place in his heavenly kingdom, but pointed out to Peter his vulnerability to Satan. Apart from Jesus’ intercession, Peter was headed for a great fall. Peter insisted on his faithfulness to Jesus, no matter what. But Jesus told him the truth—that in the moment of crisis, Peter would deny Jesus. Peter just could not see himself doing this (Luke 22:35–34). He did not have an accurate view of himself. He had not yet come to the place in his journey with Jesus that he realized his vulnerability to arrogance, pride, and self-sufficiency.
Peter had to come to a place of repentance—a turning around, a change in mind and heart. This came about as he came face to face with a humble, self-sacrificing Savior—the Lamb who went without complaint to the slaughter, on Peter’s behalf, and on behalf of the whole world. As he denied Jesus the third time, Peter caught Jesus’ eye, and the look on Jesus’ face at that moment wrecked Peter’s composure. He left the courtyard where he’d been hanging out while Jesus was being interrogated, and broke down in tears. Peter was never the same again. He had come to a true assessment of himself in the eyes of Jesus. And it hurt. But that’s what true humility is all about—seeing oneself in the eyes of Jesus, as both having missed the mark and as having been forgiven.
This is the point the apostle Paul was making in our New Testament passage, Philippians 2:5–11. As God in human flesh, Jesus had every right and every reason to live as one who was in charge, the one who others must serve and whose expectations must be met. But this is not how we see Jesus. So often, he allowed himself to be at the mercy of the humans he created and sustained by the word of his power. While on earth, he allowed himself to be insulted, rejected, and wounded by those who should have respected and venerated him. He constantly served people, creating for himself a reputation of hanging out with sinners such as tax collectors and prostitutes. He paid his taxes to the current government of his day, and he, though brutally honest about their sin, submitted himself to the human political leaders presently in power.
The humility of the Son of God involved a self-emptying, as he took on our human flesh, setting aside for a time that which made him distinctly divine, allowing it to remain hidden during his time here on earth. We find the Son of God present in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t come as a conquering warrior, but as a tiny infant in humble circumstances—a baby in a manger. We see this Son of God, as the child of Mary and stepchild of Joseph, submitting himself to his parents’ supervision and instruction. We see him sitting at the feet of the ancient Jewish leaders, allowing them to teach him, even though he knew the answers and astonished them with his responses to their questions. His entire time here on earth was spent in humble service to others. And his final act of self-offering was on behalf of all he had made.
Jesus’ assessment of himself was that he came as a humble servant, to serve others—and it was correct. He was truly human, the way every one of us was meant to be human. To have the grace of humility is to have, by his Spirit, Jesus living in and through us his own humility which was manifest in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. May we turn our gaze towards Jesus, look into his eyes, and see ourselves with true and clear vision—both in how we miss the mark and how we are forgiven, accepted, and beloved. This is the grace of true humility.
Father, Son, and Spirit, when we look into the eyes of Jesus, we see how far short we fall from being truly human as you created us to be human. Thank you for giving us the grace of true humility, that we may serve one another in godly love. May we not only receive your forgiveness and acceptance, but also offer it to others in your name, Jesus, by your Spirit. Amen.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus ‘every knee will bow,’ of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5–11 NASB
“The way Jesus saw himself is the only valid way to see yourself! His being God’s equal in form and likeness was official; his Sonship did not steal the limelight from his Father! Neither did his humanity distract from the deity of God! His mission however, was not to prove his deity, but to embrace our humanity. Emptied of his reputation as God, he fully embraced our physical human form; born in our resemblance he identified himself as the servant of the human race. His love enslaved him to us! And so we have the drama of the cross in context: the man Jesus Christ who is fully God, becomes fully man to the extent of willingly dying humanity’s death at the hands of his own creation. He embraced the curse and shame of the lowest kind in dying a criminal’s death. From this place of utter humiliation, God exalted him to the highest rank. God graced Jesus with a Name that is far above as well as equally representative of every other name; The name of Jesus endorses his mission as fully accomplished! He is the Savior of the world! What his name unveils will persuade every creature of their redemption! Every knee in heaven and upon the earth and under the earth shall bow in spontaneous worship! Also every tongue will voice and resonate the same devotion to his unquestionable Lordship as the Redeemer of life! Jesus Christ has glorified God as the Father of creation! This is the ultimate conclusion of the Father’s intent!” Philippians 2:5–11 Mirror Bible
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Counting It All Loss
By Linda Rex
April 6, 2025, 5th Sunday in Preparation for Easter or Lent—How hard are you working at being a good person? Do you ever find yourself performing hard in an effort to make sure you are okay with God and other people? Sometimes we do not realize when we are depending upon ourselves rather than fully resting in Christ. And too often, when we are sharing our life in Christ with others, we throw people back upon their own ability to get themselves where they feel they need to be in relationship with God and others.
The apostle Paul reminds us in our New Testament passage for this Sunday, Philippians 3:4b–14, that we need to quit depending upon our own ability, our family history, our heritage, or any of those things we humanly count on, and to rest completely in Christ. When you consider Paul’s story, you can see that he experienced a tremendous about-face in his life when he encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Nothing was the way it used to be after that conversation with the Lord.
Later on in his life, as he reached out to the non-Jews in the Roman Empire with the good news of Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul experienced severe opposition. Those who insisted that keeping the law of Moses was essential for salvation were strong and even vicious opponents, who sought a following. These zealous opponents counted on their merits as law-abiding Jews, along with their positions of importance, and their background of impeccable ancestry—all of which were valued in that ancient culture.
But the apostle Paul had all these merits—even more so than his opponents. There was a time when he had valued everything his opponents valued. But then he met the risen Lord Jesus Christ. After that, all of these things he had valued before became worthless to him. In God’s kingdom, our human pedigree, our observation of certain laws and rites and rituals, gain us nothing. Paul considered these things to be of no use whatsoever—in fact, he considered them to be garbage, the kind of filth to be thrown on the trash heap. Paul had come to see that in the long run, these items cherished by his opponents were valueless, and needed to be tossed out and replaced with Jesus Christ, in his life, death, and resurrection. What needed to be embraced was a new life in Christ given to us in the person and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Possibly, we may say that no one values things like pedigree, position, or law keeping anymore. But within the context of our own educational venues, spiritual communities, denominations, or religious cultures, we often venerate people with the appropriate pedigree or certifications, and give less attention to those who are not so educationally well endowed, or culturally accepted. We celebrate those with the degrees, those who are part of the religious elite, and others who have achieved great financial, physical, material, even spiritual success from a human point of view. It’s hard to admit, but we easily slip into focusing on the human aspects of our life in Christ, and forget to embrace the true humility of our personal need for Christ. We can easily forget that our efforts to achieve a right relationship with God and with others actually does us no good in the sight of God.
The apostle Paul reminds us to lay ourselves and our own efforts on the altar, and to pick up instead, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus has done the hard lifting—our life is in him. And Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” It is Jesus Christ, living in us by the Holy Spirit, we are to trust in, rather than counting on ourselves and our own efforts.
Our response to all Jesus has done for us is meant to be a visceral pouring out of ourselves in gratitude and devotion to Jesus. This was demonstrated by Mary as she poured spikenard lavishly and in free abandon on Jesus’ feet, and then wiping his feet with her hair (John 12:1–8), even in the face of criticism and condemnation. Our response to Jesus is an internally motivated pouring out of ourselves in worship of and devotion to Jesus, not a forced, for show effort to get a response from Jesus or to win the praise of others. It’s true that Mary made some effort to procure the oil, and took some action in applying it to Jesus’ feet, but what we see happen is not slavish devotion driven by fear or an attempt to win God’s favor or love. Rather, it is an internal response driven by deep gratitude for the Lord’s intervention on behalf of her and her family, in raising her brother Lazarus from the dead. This is an expression of deep gratitude and devotion to Jesus—this is what drove her actions. And this is our response to God raising our “brother” Jesus from the dead, on our behalf.
In our call to worship psalm, the psalmist declares that God has done all that is needed for our salvation, therefore we rejoice: “When the LORD brought back the captive ones of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’ The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad” (Psalm 126:1–3 NASB). The point is, Jesus has saved us, is saving us, and will save us. Therefore, in response, our life is a praise song of gratitude and joy, as we rest fully in Jesus’ finished work, and let go of all our human efforts to get ourselves right with God and each other. The Holy Spirit, filling our hearts and minds, unites us with Christ, and we are never the same, ever again. Our lives, our relationships, and our actions are never the same again, because we are “in Christ.”
Our Redeemer and Savior, Lord of all, thank you for your faithfulness and goodness to us. Grant us the grace to surrender all our human efforts to save ourselves. Enable us instead to trust in you completely, allowing you to transform our hearts and lives by faith. We celebrate your mighty and wonderful work of salvation with gratitude and praise. Amen.
“… If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:4b–14 NASB
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All Are Reconciled—Be Reconciled
By Linda Rex
March 30, 2025, 4th Sunday in Preparation for Easter or Lent—As we gather on this Sunday during the season of preparation for Easter, we are given the opportunity to consider more deeply our response to the work God is doing in this world through his Son, Jesus Christ. During the time the Son of God was here on earth, he spent time with people from all walks of life, showing care and concern for the suffering, provision for the hungry, and deliverance for those held captive by evil.
Unfortunately, the religious leaders of his day objected to him spending large amounts of time with people they thought he should avoid—tax collectors, prostitutes, and other “sinners”. Jesus responded on one occasion, by telling a story about a son who demanded his inheritance, and who, when he received it, went into a far land, and squandered it on riotous living. When the money ran out, he was left feeding slop to pigs. It was at this point that he came to his senses, and returned home to his father, who had been anxiously awaiting his return. Many of us know and love the story of the prodigal son, and the father who ran to meet him and showered him with a celebration when he returned home. But we often forget that there was another son who was involved in the story (Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32).
The older son is the one who, year after year, faithfully served at home, diligently doing the chores and bearing up under all the burdens of caring for the estate and the animals. When the prodigal returns home, he doesn’t bother to attend the party—he is too upset and angry with his brother and his father. When asked, he reminds his father of how hard he has worked, and that he has never had a party thrown for him. Resentment and bitterness oozes from his words. His father reminds him that, in truth, the older son had received his inheritance as well, and everything already belonged to him. It was only fitting that they rejoice over the one who had lost everything, and had humbly returned to the family fold.
In Jesus’ story, we never hear the end of the parable, whether or not the older son finally gave in and attended the party. In the case of the religious leaders of his day, to whom the parable was directed, they never admitted their error nor came to their senses. They were too busy pointing their fingers at people they believed unworthy of their time and attention. Instead of repenting and turning away from their own errors and sins, they participated, in the end, in the crucifixion of the One who came for their salvation.
In our New Testament reading for this Sunday, 2 Corinthians 5:16–21, the apostle Paul reminds us of how we are to view those we encounter day by day in our lives. In one of the most beautiful expressions of God’s grace to us in Christ, Paul writes that we no longer view people through the lens of their broken, sinful humanity. No, that is all gone now, in our crucified and risen Christ. In Christ, each and every person is a new creation, a new creature. All of the ways in which we categorize people, all the ways we sort people into piles, are all gone in Jesus. He has made all things new, is making all things new, and will one day complete what he has begun when all is made new in the new heaven and earth.
Our God, who is Father, Son, and Spirit, has reconciled the world to himself, and has given to his Church, the ministry of reconciliation. As the Body of Christ, the Church has a calling to voice Jesus’ message to the world—“you are reconciled to God, therefore, be reconciled to God.” God has done all that is needed to make you right with him. Trust him now, and receive and live within that reconciliation, through Jesus in the Spirit. Jesus has gone into the far country, joined us in our pig slop, and brought us home to his Father.
This being the case, we don’t want to be like the older son, the party pooper, who refuses to join in the celebration. There is rejoicing in heaven every time a new person turns to Jesus Christ in faith. Instead of being like the grumpy religious leaders of Jesus’ day or the resentful older son in Jesus’ story, we want to be on the dance floor, line dancing with the music. We want to be sampling the hors d’oeuvres and the cold drinks, and laughing with our friends. We want to be listening to the stories, and reminding the prodigal how far he has come, and how blessed he is. We want to celebrate the wonderful miracle of divine resurrection God has done in our lives and the life of the prodigal, who is forgiven, accepted, and beloved, just as we are, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen and amen.
Dear Father, forgive us when we forget all you have done for us, and become unforgiving and critical of others. Remind us, Lord, to be as forgiving and generous to others, as you have been so generously forgiving to us. Awaken us to the spiritual renewal you are actively bringing about by your Spirit in each person we see. May we celebrate this miracle with you each day. Amen.
“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:16–21 NASB
“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Do not be as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near to you.’ Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32 NASB
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Paul Says, Follow Me
By Linda Rex
March 16, 2025, 2nd Sunday in Preparation for Easter or Lent—One of the questions I often come across as a follower of Christ is the contradiction which people experience between what we as Christians profess and how we actually live our lives. As those who follow Christ, we are held to a standard—Jesus—which we cannot genuinely attain by any human effort. Our best efforts so often fall short of his perfection, and this is why we must remind ourselves that it is all of grace. Even though those who know us may not offer us the grace which God gives us, we are called by our Lord to continue to “stand firm” and trust that God will finish what he has begun in us through Jesus and by the Spirit.
In the New Testament passage for this Sunday, Philippians 3:17–4:1, the apostle Paul encourages the believers to follow his example. These believers were being impacted by a culture which, on the one hand, encouraged an atheistic view of life which embraced self-indulgence and pleasure, while on the other hand, embraced a self-salvation via rigid observation of rules, rites and rituals. The emperor cult saw the Roman Caesar as being the savior of the people, and no doubt, the believers had to face the challenge of their community expecting their participation in emperor worship. To follow the culture would have placed them at odds with all they had come to see and believe in when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul’s encouragement that they follow his own example actually comes after his admonishment that they follow the example of Jesus Christ. Earlier in this letter, the apostle Paul reminds his readers that the Son of God humbled himself, emptying himself to join us in our humanity, to live a truly human life, and die at the hands of those he created. But the Father exalted Jesus, raising him up and seating him at his right hand in glory. This gives a great basis for the rest of Paul’s letter, which encourages the believers to be willing to follow Christ’s example. Great humility comes before exaltation—and God will exalt those who humble themselves before him (Phil. 2:5–11).
Paul goes on to show all of the human glories that he once had as a religious leader of his people. There was a time when he had all of the special marks of the cream of the crop, holding to the righteousness which was by the law of Moses. But now, as he wrote this letter, he considered every one of these things which made him look good to others, seem good to others, as loss for the sake of Christ. The apostle was willing to suffer the loss of all these things for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord. This was what mattered most to him—and everything else was worthless in comparison (Phil. 3:7–11).
This concept is what sets the stage for our passage for this Sunday. Paul begins by helping the believers see that they need to follow Christ’s example. Then he shows the profound difference between following the expectations of the culture and the religious leaders around them, and following Jesus Christ. Paul had left all that humanly gave him worth and value behind to find his value and worth in Jesus Christ alone. How he lived his life was no longer based on his pleasure or expectations, but solely on following Jesus Christ, and doing his will. So, when Paul told his readers to follow his example, he was encouraging them to live in the grace that was theirs in Jesus. He was trying to help them turn away from their culture, away from themselves, and to turn back to Jesus.
Even though these believers may have been Roman citizens, as citizens of the lesser region of Philippi, they were part of an even greater kingdom which would last forever—the kingdom of God. They needed to start living in the truth of who they were as citizens of this divine kingdom, rather than citizens of the broken culture in which they lived.
This is our struggle even today as those who seek to follow Christ in our own broken culture. On the one hand, we are given many ways to live that are supposed to save us, make us successful, and enable us to achieve and acquire all that we seek in this world. On the other hand, we are told to live life however we wish, to indulge our flesh and seek our pleasure. God’s word to us today is to turn away from all these things and to turn to Jesus Christ—to do things his way, not our way. And when we fall short, to turn to him in faith, and ask for the grace that is ours in him.
The good news is that we probably won’t get it right, but Jesus Christ stands in our place on our behalf, as we trust in him. We follow him, down the road to humility and suffering, so that one day we will be lifted up into glory, given new glorified bodies in the new heaven and earth. We look expectantly toward that day when we will see our glorified Jesus face to face. Meanwhile, we follow him. And we do our best to be the kind of Christ followers who are a true reflection of his goodness and love where we are, right now.
Father, thank you for giving us your Son so freely, and thank you, Jesus, for your great humility in joining us where we are in our darkness to bring us into your light. Grant us the grace to follow you in faithful obedience as we longingly wait for your return in glory. Amen.
“Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” Philippians 3:17–4:1 NASB
“Let me be your example here, my brothers: let my example be the standard by which you can tell who are the genuine Christians among those about you. For there are many, of whom I have told you before and tell you again now, even with tears, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. These men are heading for utter destruction—their god is their own appetite, their pride is in what they should be ashamed of, and this world is the limit of their horizon. But we are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the saviour who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will re-make these wretched bodies of ours to resemble his own glorious body, by that power of his which makes him the master of everything that is. So, my brothers whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, do stand firmly in the Lord, and remember how much I love you.” Philippians 3:17–4:1 JB Phillips
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Faith in the Word
By Linda Rex
March 9, 2025, 1st Sunday in Preparation for Easter or Lent—Often our daily tasks arise out of a simple faith and trust that things are the way they are supposed to be, that people have done what they are supposed to do. Think about how often we do things in our everyday lives which involve faith in others or faith in things that others or ourselves have made. That daily dose of vitamins—who made it? Is it really safe for me to take? Does it really have the nutritional value it says it does?
Last time we talked about Jesus’ transfiguration, and the hidden glory we have as those who are made in God’s image and redeemed by our Lord Jesus. In spite of our best human efforts to live in the truth of who we are in Christ, we so often fail. We cannot trust in ourselves, for we are untrustworthy and undependable when it comes to our walk of faith.
On Ash Wednesday, which in 2025 is celebrated on March 5th, we begin the season of preparation for Easter. As we look forward to the events of Holy Week, we contemplate the reality of our need for Jesus’ redemptive work. In this season, we do not need to grovel or lament our wickedness, but rather, assume a clearheaded, frank assessment of how far we have fallen from all that God meant us to be as those who were created to be image-bearers of the Triune God. At the same time, we rest in Jesus’ redemptive work, which we look forward to celebrating during Holy Week. And we seek to open ourselves more fully to the Spirit’s work in us and our world.
Our New Testament passage for the first Sunday in this season is Romans 10:8–13. In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul examines the human condition and sums this up by saying that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all, no matter our religious or cultural background, need salvation and redemption. We all need transformed, healed, and made whole. This is why Jesus came, to live our human life, die our human death, and rise again. And this is why Jesus sent the Spirit from the Father. The Spirit gives us all the graces of Jesus, the perfect human, so that we may live in right relationship with God and one another.
When we look at the human experience since the beginning of time through God’s eyes, we see that he has been reaching out to us and speaking to us in everyway possible. He has sought to tell us about and to show us his love. The divine Father, Son, and Spirit have spoken of their love and grace to us in many ways, including the glory of a double rainbow, spectacular sunsets, and the majesty of star-studded nebulae. But it is hard as humans to hear the voice of our God, for he doesn’t seem to speak our language.
In Hebrews 1:1–3, the author points out that God finally spoke to all of us through his Son, the One who is the exact representation of his nature—his true self. Jesus Christ is God’s final word to all of us as human beings. The apostle John uses the term “the Word” to describe Jesus in his divinity, long before he ever took on our humanity (John 1:1). Jesus, the Word of God, the wisdom of God—how profound is the realization that God would step into our world in the person of Jesus Christ to join us in our darkness, in order to bring us up into his divine light! Does this resonate in our soul? Do we hear God’s divine Word to us within? The Spirit resonates with our spirit, as the life of Christ within us, and enables us to hear the Word of our heavenly Father’s love and respond with Jesus’ own “Abba, Father.”
It is possible to read the Bible, hear the gospel stories, and memorize a zillion scriptures and still struggle to put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We may say that we believe in God, some sort of God—but do we believe this God cares enough about you and me and this crazy old world that he would actually join us in our broken sinful flesh, becoming sin for us, so that we may become like him in his righteousness? Have we woken up to the spiritual reality of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the presence of the living Word, Jesus Christ, who lives in us?
When the Word of God, Jesus Christ, reveals himself to us by his Holy Spirit, we are never the same again. God’s Word to us about who we are, as the beloved children of our heavenly Father, and his Word to us about how we are to live, is written in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Faith, then becomes real, substantial, and life-changing, as we respond to and trust in this living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, who lives in us by the Spirit. As we hear and respond to the inner direction of the Spirit, that living Word who dwells within, we are transformed and healed. And as we allow that living Word to move, guide, and direct us, our world is changed for the better.
Heavenly Father, Jesus, Spirit, thank you for all you have done to bring us up into life with you in the Spirit. Forgive us for refusing to believe or trust in you, for closing our hearts to your Spirit. Please remove our deafness and enable us to hear your Word, and to respond to your love and grace with faithful obedience in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ ” Romans 10:8–13 NASB
“Faith-righteousness announces that every definition of distance in time, space, or hostility has been cancelled. Faith says, ‘The Word is near you. It is as close to you as your voice and the conviction of your heart.” We publicly announce this message. Now your salvation is realized! Your own words echo God’s voice. The unveiling of the masterful act of Jesus forms the words in your mouth, inspired by the conviction in your heart that God indeed raised him from the dead. Heart-faith confirms the fact of mankind’s righteousness and ignites the kind of conversation consistent with salvation. Scripture declares that whosoever believes in Christ will not be ashamed to announce it. Nothing distinguishes the Jew from the Greek when it comes to the generosity of God. He responds with equal benevolence to everyone who sees themselves identified in him. Salvation is to understand that every person’s true identity is revealed in Christ.” Romans 10:8–13 Mirror Bible
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The Manifestation of Truth
By Linda Rex
March 2, 2026, Transfiguration Sunday—On this Sunday, we reach the end of the season of Epiphany, and enter into the season of preparation for Easter. As we consider the epiphany of the season of Epiphany, so to speak, we reflect upon that dramatic revelation of Jesus Christ which occurred at his transfiguration.
Our New Testament passage, 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2, is the apostle Paul’s message to the believers in Corinth, which includes a strong encouragement to stay focused on Jesus Christ. Paul’s purpose was to help the believers remain faithful in their life in Christ, and not get swept away into spiritual blindness. Apart from the revelation of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit, these believers would be unable to properly read and understand the Old Testament scriptures. He did not want them to go back into slavery to the law, but to live in the freedom that was theirs in Jesus Christ, because the law was written on their hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Drawing upon the teachings of Moses, the apostle Paul noted that Moses himself, when he met with God, would come away with a glow on his face that frightened Aaron and the people of ancient Israel. So, for their sake, he would cover his face with a veil, preventing them from seeing this glow and how it would eventually dissipate. Moses did not create this glow, neither could he get rid of it. His reflection of the divine glory came about simply because he spent time with God, listening to him, and growing in his relationship with him. But it was something that came and went—it did not stay. And it was not something he was in control over, either. He simply participated, and covered his face for the sake of those around him (Exodus 34:29–35).
In contrast, we see the Son of God, Jesus Christ, on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, being transfigured—as though this was his natural state of being, only it was hidden. How astonishing it must have been for these three disciples to see their companion and teacher suddenly glowing with divine glory, and speaking to Elijah and Moses, who had been dead for centuries. What all did this mean? How were they to respond to this? Peter suggested building tents for them to stay in—but that obviously was not the answer. Jesus’ heavenly Father certain had a preference for what they were to do: they were to listen to Jesus, for he was the beloved Son of the Father, the Chosen One (Luke 9:28–36).
Just consider the manifestation of the truth which took place in Jesus Christ. Jesus taught that he was “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). As God in human flesh, we find the truth of who we are as God’s creatures in Jesus Christ. Humans were created to reflect the image of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And Jesus is the only true reflection of God’s nature and way of being. He was filled with and led by the Holy Spirit from conception, and he always lived in right relationship with his heavenly Father in the Spirit. If we want to know what it looks like to be truly human—we look at Jesus Christ.
What Jesus Christ did by living, dying, and rising again, is only significant because of who he is—God in human flesh. The transfiguration was a profound revelation of the truth of who Jesus is and was. What was hidden within his human frame suddenly shone out in radiant brightness. The limits of human time were suspended as he communicated with those who went before. And he heard the voice of his heavenly Father addressing him with great affection and affirmation. What Peter, James, and John witnessed in the transfiguration had to have wholly overthrown all of their previous concepts of who Jesus was. Sure, he was the Messiah, but somehow he was so much more than all that had previously been assumed!
When Jesus died and rose again, he ascended to heaven, to his Father’s right hand, and sent the Holy Spirit. Now we are so blessed to have the presence of God in and with us by the Holy Spirit. In many ways, we have the hidden glory that Jesus had, because we have received the Holy Spirit. The apostle John says that when we see Jesus when he returns in glory, that we will be “like him” (1 John 3:2). There is a hidden glory that is ours in Christ, given to us by the indwelling Holy Spirit that will be revealed one day in its fullness. As we respond to the Spirit’s lead and live in obedience to our heavenly Father, we begin to look more and more like Jesus even in this life. The truth of who we are in Christ, who God created us to be, is being manifest more and more as we participate more fully in our life in Christ, as we respond to the work of the Holy Spirit, and follow Christ wherever he leads.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, may you be fully manifest in each of us by your Spirit, for our Father’s glory, now and forever. Thank you for the freedom that is ours in Christ—freedom from evil, sin, and death, and freedom to love, serve, and obey you. May we live as true reflections of your glory and goodness, through Jesus our Lord and by your heavenly Spirit. Amen.
“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 NASB
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Our Risen Life
By Linda Rex
February 16, 2025, 6th Sunday in Epiphany—As we move into the 6th Sunday in the season of Epiphany, our Gospel passage describes Jesus’ ministry among the common people of his day. Many of them gathered around him to hear him preach. They also came to be healed of their diseases, for they heard of his miraculous power to heal and to cast out demons (Luke 6:17–26).
For many, these miracles drew them to Jesus in hopes of a coming messianic age of freedom from Roman oppression. But Jesus had some powerful words to say about the kingdom of God which began with his presence and power at work in the world. He proclaimed blessings on the poor, hungry, and sorrowful, as well as on those who were hated, ostracized, and insulted for his name’s sake. Jesus reminded those who focused on being well-fed, happy, and well-thought-of in this world, that all of these things would one day disappear. There were more precious kingdom values they needed to embrace other than being well thought of, well fed, and happy.
Luke wrote this gospel to people who were facing such difficulties for the sake of believing in Christ, and he wanted them to stand strong in spite of such spiritual opposition. In the same way, the apostle Paul wanted the believers in Corinth to have a correct understanding regarding the resurrection of the dead, for this impacted their ability to stand firm in the face of cultural influence, spiritual opposition, and persecution. Paul’s culture believed in the immortality of the soul, and the Greek notion of rejecting/restraining/indulging the human body while elevating the human spirit, a dualism God never intended. In contrast, Scripture teaches that we are embodied spirits, beloved by God, the Creator, who proclaimed from the beginning that what he created was very good (Gen. 1:31).
It was important for the church in Corinth to be reminded of the simplicity of the gospel as revealed in Jesus Christ. In the argument Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15:12–20, our New Testament passage for this Sunday in Epiphany, he emphasizes that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, therefore we are forgiven of our sins. The Christian faith includes much more than just Jesus dying on the cross, which often is the focus of much Christian teaching. Jesus’ death on the cross is culminated by his resurrection from the dead. But even more than that, which Paul does not mention here, but mentions elsewhere, the Son of God took on our human body to live here on earth as Jesus Christ (Col. 1). It is God in human flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ, who lived our life, died our death, and rose again, who saves us from our sins.
This is why the call to faith in Christ is so important. We embrace the reality that our life as human beings was and is taken up in Jesus’ own life in a body here on earth, and that we died with him and we rose with him. That is a central tenet to the Christian faith. We trust in his perfect work in our place on our behalf. It is his life in us by his Spirit which is transformative and healing.
The apostle Paul says that Jesus is “the first fruits of those who are asleep.” The wave sheaf offering that ancient Israel offered during the spring festival, on the Sunday we celebrate now as Resurrection Sunday or Easter, was the offering of the first of the crop harvested. It was representative of the rest of the harvest to follow (Lev. 23:9–14). In the same way, Jesus’ self-offering is representative of all of us who will, because of his resurrection, participate in the resurrection of the dead.
Ancient Israel was told not to partake of the blessings of the new crop or harvest until this offering had been made. The point was not to restrict their enjoyment of their blessings, but to remind them of the central tenet of our faith—our provision, our deliverance, and our new life is in God alone, not in our own human efforts.
We can work hard to bring about a harvest by planting, cultivating, and watering. We do need to participate in the process. But apart from the grace of God which ensures the success of the reproductive and photosynthesis processes, there is no harvest at all. In the same way, our salvation is in Christ alone. Our faith is valueless apart from the perfect work of his self-offering in our place, on our behalf. We do not trust in our own efforts to save ourselves, but in his completed work of saving us—in his death and his resurrection from the grave. It is his life at work in us and through us by his Spirit, which ensures our risen life. By the Spirit, we can begin to experience our new life in Christ even now. And one day, when Jesus returns in glory, we will receive glorified bodies perfectly fitted for the new earth on which we will dwell for eternity. We look forward to that day.
Father, Jesus, Spirit, thank you for giving us new life. We know that one day, each of us will die—our life in this world will come to an end. Thank you, Jesus, that bearing our human body, you have died and risen, bringing each of us with you even now into your own life with our Father in the Spirit. Grant us the grace to trust in your perfect work, that we may rise with you in glory. Amen.
“Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ as been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:12–20 NASB
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