LIFE FOR THESE MORTAL BODIES
One thing we know about these bodies of ours: they're mortal. They're going to die. Unless the Lord comes back in the meantime and transfigures them, these bodies of ours are going to die. We know this.
What we may not realize, however, is that it is possible for these mortal bodies to be quickened, even now, with the life of the world to come!
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit which dwells in you.
Romans 8:11
So that, even though our days are numbered, we can receive, and keep receiving from God, life from above, life that turns these mortal bodies into vessels of redemptive power, lights in this dark world, fountains of supernatural healing and peace for the lives we touch.
The Jesus who stepped out of his tomb on Sunday morning was the same Jesus whose corpse they laid in that tomb on Friday afternoon. He's the same person, yet the body he now has is not mortal. It's a body that will never die. No one can kill this body!
When Jesus visits his disciples that evening as they huddle together in a room with the door shut, he doesn't bother to come through the door. He's just there!
"No, I'm not a ghost. Touch me. A ghost doesn't have flesh and bones as you see that I have. Here, give me something to eat."
And then he disappears!
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a physical body; there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving Spirit.
I Corinthians 15:42-45
Jesus is the First-born of the New Creation, in a spiritual body. He's a Life-Giving Spirit. And notice, he came to the disciples not only to show them that he was alive from the dead, but also to give them something. Something he could not give them before.
From that day Jesus began giving to his followers his resurrection life, until he poured it out in fullness on the day of Pentecost.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
John 20:19-23
From that day to this he continues to impart this gift of resurrection life to those who open themselves to receive it.
We need to do more than remember the resurrection. We need to receive, from him, the same life that raised him from the dead.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit which dwells in you. Romans 8:11
Yes, these bodies are mortal. They're going to die. Yet ever since his resurrection Jesus has been pouring into mortal bodies like ours, life from the world to come --- life which only he can give.
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:9-13
They're born of God. They have God's life in them. God's Spirit. This power to become sons and daughters of God is none other than his resurrection Spirit, which gives life to these mortal bodies, light to these mortal minds.
We need to do more than commemorate an event which took place twenty centuries ago. We need to draw near to the One who rose that day, and receive from him a fresh measure of his resurrection life!
Because, when we allow him to give his life to these bodies by his resurrection Spirit, we become invulnerable until our work is done (provided we don't go wandering out in front of trucks expecting God to protect us). We become servants of the wisdom and power of heaven.
So let's draw near to the Master and receive from him a fresh outpouring of the Spirit that raised him from the dead, giving life to these mortal bodies and light to these mortal minds.
His words to us are no different than the words he spoke to those first disciples:
"Peace be with you…..As the Father has sent me, even so I send you….receive the Holy Spirit!"
"Here's the gift. I give it to you. Open your heart and let it come in."
All we have to do is respond with open hearts, "Lord, here I am! I open myself to you. Flood me with your life. Fill me afresh with your Spirit!"
Every person who reads these words, and seeks to open their heart to the Lord who accompanies you as you read, will surely be renewed by the same Spirit that raised him from the dead .... causing the life we live between now and the moment of our death to be directed and empowered by heaven.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!", it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified together.
Romans 8:14-17
So we allow the Lord Jesus to give us the gift he has been giving his followers since the day he rose from the dead. We open ourselves to receive, from him, life for these mortal bodies ... causing our remaining days on earth to be lived under the power of the world to come.
So that, in our ordinary daily lives, our light will no longer be under a bushel, but will shine. People will be touched by the finger of God through us!
Let's open ourselves to receive the gift that is always given to those who ask:
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also, through his Spirit which dwells in you. Romans 8:11
"If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."
Luke 11:13
Lord Jesus, apart from you, we can do nothing.
We cry out to you in our need.
Help us to open our hearts wide, that you may
flood them with your resurrection Spirit.
That our mortal bodies may be alive with your
presence, filled with your power, ruled by your love,
fired by your courage.