He Is Risen!

 

Job 19:25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

I have many fond memories of our little AFLC church plant called Living Word Lutheran, and one of them comes right out of this portion of the Book of Job. No, it’s not that those in attendance had to suffer through my lengthy sermons, rather it was the way we typically began our Sunday worship.

The question always begs to be asked, why do we meet on Sundays? Why do we call it the “Lord’s Day?” Because that’s the day the empty tomb was discovered! The bodily resurrection is the bottom line hope of our Christian faith!

 

“He is risen!”

 

“He is risen indeed!”

 

Without the resurrection of Christ our faith is futile and we are to be pitied among all! 1Co 15:13,14 reminds us: “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”

 

So, we met on Sundays, full of faith, and we began our worship in this fashion:

Pastor: “In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit….Amen.  For I know that my Redeemer lives and HE shall stand at last on the earth! He is risen!

 

Congregation: “HE IS RISEN INDEED!~

 

At Living Word, every Sunday was Easter Sunday! And at the beginning of every worship service we, declared the “reason for the hope that is in us,” as stated in 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

The resurrection of Jesus is the reason for the hope that is in us, and I think we need to be reminded of it often!  

 

Maybe you need a little shot of hope today! Take these words from Job to heart. And note how very personal his declaration is! He’s not just a lost face in a crowd of worshipers. He, and  all the persevering saints  get the “meet and greet pass” as we “see Jesus for ourselves!

Yes, He is risen!

 

He is risen indeed.