Are You Living A Resurrected Life?

Turning on the evening news last Wednesday, I was surprised to see a black smudge on the announcer’s forehead. He looked serious enough as he continued his commentary, but the smudge seemed oddly out of place. Next, the face of a Congressman with a similar smudge appeared and my mind quickly recognized the symbol. It was Wednesday… Ash Wednesday. Lent had begun.

For Christians, Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of the Lenten season, six weeks of repentance prior to celebrating Resurrection Sunday (or Easter Sunday as it is called by many). It derives its name from the placing of ashes signifying repentance on the foreheads of participants to the words “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations.

In appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sin, some Christ-followers honor this sacrifice by choosing to reframe from eating a favorite food or from entertaining a cherished activity for this six week period. (No directive appears in the Bible for this action but it is a tradition worthy of consideration for its reflective, contemplative value if for no other reason). All of this is to cause a Christ-follower to be mindful of Christ’s death and most importantly His resurrection!

How about you? Whether you participate in the Lenten season or not, is “Your Refreshed Life,” a resurrected life? Do you awaken every morning anticipating God’s active, resurrected life at work in your life? “What does that really mean?”, you might ask.

I think the illustration is best seen in the live events described in the Bible concerning Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Jesus’ friends. After receiving news Lazarus was sick, Jesus didn’t come to them for four days explaining to the disciples that it was for God’s glory. When he did arrive Lazarus had died and been buried.

Mary and Martha couldn’t understand why Jesus didn’t come immediately when told of Lazarus’ sickness. Each stated that if Jesus had been there they knew their brother would not have died. They knew Jesus could heal the sick but really didn’t believe He could raise the dead.

Martha first made the statement to Jesus that if he had been there her brother would not have died. Jesus then tells Martha, “I AM the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live; even if they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”  But she didn’t understand.

So when Mary arrives and repeats the statement, He sees her weeping and is deeply grieved. He asks where they laid Lazarus and tells them to take away the stone. Martha objects saying he will smell. Jesus says what I feel is one of His most profound statements to each of us, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.”

Jesus asks merely that we believe. He IS the resurrection…presently, in this moment… as well as every other moment. He is constantly resurrecting life out of death.

So when we don’t understand, we can’t figure life out… when everything makes no sense… if we will simply believe, we will see the glory of God. We will see the manifestation and greatness of all Jesus is as God…Resurrection itself…if we will simply believe.

What was the glory of God for all to see in Martha and Mary’s situation? Jesus called, “Lazarus, Come out.” And we are told the dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen and a cloth around his face. Lazarus was literally, physically resurrected. Can you even imagine it?

Jesus’ resurrection power is available to us everyday if we will only believe. He stands waiting to demonstrate it as we anticipate His supernatural intervention in our lives daily.

So during this Lenten Season, why not do something you may not have ever done before…why not anticipate Jesus’ resurrection power to be demonstrated in your life, starting today? He stands waiting to show you Himself and His power at work in your life if you will simply believe!