He is not Here

He is not Here

We sing, ‘He is alive and I am forgiven. He is no longer, where he laid – He is alive.’ While the cross is a symbol of love and forgiveness, the empty tomb is a symbol of life and freedom. To complete His mission it was necessary for Christ to go through both.

When Christ arose, the stone sealing His tomb was rolled away. Why did the angel roll it away? Christ did not need an open tomb to get out (John 20:26). The stone was not rolled away to let him out of the tomb. However, the disciples used the open entrance to confirm that he was indeed risen. This strongly suggests that the stone was rolled away for them. When they visited the tomb and did not find His body, they received the message, ‘He is not here, but is risen’. As long as you think He is in a tomb, you will not be able to see Him. The revelation of a resurrected Christ radically transformed timid disciples into gallant believers and preachers.

The stone was also rolled away so that the whole world would hear that He is risen. The best of Roman Special Forces sealed and guarded the tomb such that no disciple could have attempted to break in to steal the body. The soldiers could not have opened the tomb given their strict military discipline. Christ’s crucifiers had nightmares about the possibility of His resurrection and took every measure to prevent it because it would endorse Him. Jesus had predicted that they would kill Him but He would rise again (Mathew 27:63). Against their best effort to keep Him in the grave, He arose. 

The stone was also rolled away to let people out of their tombs. If nothing could keep Jesus in the tomb nothing can keep you dead in sin (Romans 6:23).  The same Jesus who commanded the stone to be rolled away for Lazarus and called him out (John 11:30, 43), represented all humanity in His tomb and commanded the stone to be rolled away for all humanity. He now is calling you to come out to newness and fullness of life. It is not too late or not too early, like Martha had thought in Lazarus’ case (John 11:21, 24). NOW is the time for your rescue (Psalm 103:2-5). Jesus said I AM the resurrection and the life.  He is calling you out of your tomb by name - John come forth, Nolutando come forth, Mhandu come forth. What ever your name, resurrection and life is calling you. HE IS ALIVE.

Mats and Scars

Mats and Scars 

Our testimonies of encounters with Christ often include wonderful things we received and bad stuff we threw away, but say very little about what remained. The reality however is not all old stuff goes when the new comes. Sometimes, it is so because not all old things are bad in themselves. Peter after healing a paralytic, Aeneas, in Acts 9:34  told him to take up his mat and care for it. Perhaps you can identify with Aeneas, after the wonderful work of God in your life, you still had to deal with the same situations at home, work, school and so on. In cases, you have had to live with some scars and consequences from your past life.

Granted like Aeneas you must care for something from your past. You can joyfully take up your mat and care for it because Christ gives it new meaning (2 Corinthians 5:17).  He transforms it just as He transformed the cross from being a symbol of brutality to one of love. Interestingly, He himself bore the scars of the cross after His resurrection. Aeneas’ mat was a symbol of his own cross experience. It reminded him how chose God’s instructions in place of doubt and it earned him access to the benefits for which Jesus Christ died. The mat, therefore, once a symbol of confinement, became a symbol of comfort. Before meeting Christ, it was an instrument of limited freedom. It became an illustration of freedom. The mat became proof that God had done something marvelous. It most likely became a daily inspiration for Aeneas to expect great things from God who had healed him (Hebrew 6:9).  It became a constant reminder of God’s goodness and grace and a tool for sharing it. This new meaning completely overwrote the bad experience of the past. Your mats and scars can do the same. Things you resented can become material to build on. Some places you avoided can become places you positively affect. The people you disliked can become people you love and influence.

Following Instructions

Following Instructions

Imagine being blind from birth. You have never seen the sun or beauty of God’s creation. You are not even sure of your appearance and carry many unanswered questions about why you are blind. Time has passed and you have come of age. One early morning you begin the daily trek to your begging spot. On this particular day, you have a strange feeling. Either something is going to go terribly wrong or remarkably right. It certainly is an unusual day. The streets are quieter and the breeze on your skin is softer. It is as though destiny awaits you round the corner. As you slowly sit down at your spot, you suddenly hear Jesus’ voice coming closer towards you. Quietly, you are lured in by his gentle voice as he discusses with some people the very issue you have grappled with your whole life. Such was the story of the man born blind that the Lord Jesus healed (John 9). Instead of passing by, Jesus decided to stop by this blind man’s spot.

Before Christ appears, people around the blind man were already involved in his life remotely or closely.

>> The disciples seemed to have an explanation of the man’s condition. They sought to understand, theologize and analyze the problem.

>> The neighbors always had an exclamation. The neighbors used to see him begging. They were puzzled by his blindness and later amazed by his healing.

>> The helpers who took the man from place to place brought an administration. They helped bring some functionality within the problem’s constraints.

>> The Pharisees brought tradition. They cared more about the religious tradition and structure than the people for whom the structure existed.

>> The blind man’s parents brought consolation. They stood with him despite his problem, provided care and raised him.

However, Jesus brought the solution. He can bring something different from what you are accustomed. It does not matter the composition, background, precedence, science or theology of the problem. It can be solved. The key is to follow God’s instructions in the Bible in faith. 

White Smoke

White Smoke

The thousands that braved the cold wet weather at the Vatican St Peters Basilica on Wednesday 13 March 2013 erupted ecstatically into ‘We have a Pope! We have a Pope!’ The white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine chapel signaled that the 115 Cardinals in conclave had, on the fifth round, elected the next Pope, Pope Francis. It is notable that their joyful eruption began before the new Pope appeared on the central balcony to bless them. The promises of God are like the white smoke. When trusted, they are dependable to inspire joy and hope.

No matter the outlook of your life, you can confidently march into the future with hope and thanksgiving (I Thessalonians 5:18, Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:6). If your father watches over the sparrow and it does not fall to the ground. How much more will he care for you. He cares to such detail that your hair is numbered. You are of much more value to Him than sparrows (Matthew 10:29). I was taught not to forget that about seventy percent of what I would worry about is in the past or will never happen. Twenty-two percent is too small to worry about or does not exist. The remainder, God has promised to take care of in Christ Jesus.

Designed to Reign

Designed to Reign

Bart Millard's song performed by ‘Mercy Me’ explores briefly what might happen when the eternal kingdom comes. Will we dance for Jesus or in awe be still? We can only imagine.  For now, we do know that in Christ, we will reign with Him forever (Rev 22:4-5). Abundant life is not just right relationship with God but reigning with Christ. Our life in Christ presently ought to reflect what it shall be in the eternal kingdom. Is it not interesting that God allows other thrones in His kingdom (Rev 20:4) and even calls us kings (Rev 1:6; Rev 5:10). That is how secure He is. God wants you to reign with Christ. Sufficiency, peace, longevity, justice, and righteousness mark the rule of Christ now and forever.

The Bible is a book about life. It begins with life in a garden and ends with life in a city. It begins with God’s dream of an earth filled with His life and glory as the waters cover the sea, seemingly shattered. Its last book proves God’s dream cannot be shattered (Rev 21-22). The first book ends with life lost while the last ends with life restored. Where the first book ends with man driven away from the tree of life, the last book ends with open access to the tree of life (Rev 22:14). Overall, the first ends with humanity fallen and the last ends with humanity elevated. This elevation enables you to reign now in the world of your every-day life. You can reign by filling your heart with God’s word and wisely taking charge of your thoughts, choices, associations and actions. Take your stand and reign with Christ (Rev 22:11).