On Easter Sunday Brian Rice posted a very simple FaceBook statement; Jesus 1 Death 0 It is a very simple statement but I have been reflecting on it over the week.
On Sunday afternoon my Dad and I watched the rerun of the 2019 cricket World Cup between England and New Zealand. It came down to the last over. England needed 15 runs to win. Which is a very difficult task. England looked to have lost the match twice in that over but somehow they tied the match and ultimately won the game. The crowd who were made up of England and India and West Indian supporters went made with joy as the tension built and England finally won.
Looking at the crowd and examining my own emotions I wondered how the disciples must have felt. Luke 24 v 38 - 43. https://www.bible.com/116/luk.24.38-41,43.nlt
Of course in sport you are only as good as your last result. A few weeks later England were thrashed by the Australians and our bubble of happiness was burst.
But where is our joy in life? I have been reading Philippians and catching the overwhelming sense of Paul’s joy. Philippians 2:5-11 NLT. https://www.bible.com/116/php.2.5-11.nlt
When we reflect on this passage we can start to grasp the mind of Christ.
We so often think of our salvation as between me and God. But this is such a limiting concept.
Over the last few months I have been trying to grapple with the book of Revelation. Revelation 5. I will paraphrase, John is taken in the Spirit into the throne room of heaven. The angel calls out “ who is worthy to open the seals” John looks around and can’t see any one in heaven or on earth or under the earth who is worthy to open the seals. John weeps bitterly as he can see that the whole cycle of history will go round and round in a circle of sin and that the future is totally hopeless. The angel then shouts “Look the lion of Judah” stop weeping.
The Lion of Judah is symbolic of Jesus in His power and authority.
Then as John looks again he sees the Lamb of God who has been slain for all our sins. This is such a great moment in the history of heaven, heaven sings a new song as Jesus opens the seals and justice is seen for all mankind.
This is our destiny to live in the Kingdom of Heaven where there will be no more sin, no more death, no more tears of pain but life and joy and righteousness.
Indeed Jesus has won and death has been defeated.
We may not be happy everyday because of our circumstances but look to Jesus and find his perspective on the future. Then you will find a joy that lasts to eternit. It won’t be like the happiness of England winning the cricket World Cup.
Jesus’s view in the garden of Gethsemane was not just at us as individuals but his whole church.
He will not let the pandemic to go without accomplishing what he has always had in his sight, the building of His church, seeing every tribe and tongue swept into His kingdom.
When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we stand in his power and authority. He is the Lamb that was slain. We should be obedient to Him and sacrificially follow Him by laying down our own agendas for His.
When we have that full perspective of Christ’s heart for every man woman and child, we will find a joy that is everlasting even when we have bad days and our old way of life is taken away.
Questions
Go through the Philippians quote, can you believe that all the points apply to you? (When we humble ourselves, we enjoy the power and authority of Christ as we have been elevated to the same position in heaven as Christ) Blows your mind!
Do you consider that Jesus was seeing his church when he was in the garden of Gethsemane?
Do you have that sense of joy, even when things are really tough?
When you reflect on the victory