I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. ~ Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV)
One of my favorite songs from a few years ago is “The Same Power” by Jeremy Camp. In that song, the artist presents the Apostle Paul’s words from this part of the letter to the Ephesians. The main message is that the power that rose Jesus from the grave on Easter is the same power that is living in you and me. It’s an incredible reminder of the powerful God we serve and the hope we have in our own resurrections.
From Palm Sunday to Easter – with the Last Supper and Death of Jesus as important stops along with way – Holy Week, along with Lent, is a journey that encompasses the full range of emotions. We can’t rush too quickly from beginning to end without taking significant time to spend at the Table with Jesus, at the cross with the disciples (mostly the women who followed Jesus AND WERE NOT AFRAID), and to the borrowed tomb where they laid Jesus’ body. All of that is a critical part of the narrative so that the power of God can be shown without any doubt on Resurrection Sunday. That same power that rose Jesus from the dead is living in us! AND, the promise of resurrection is not only that Jesus was the only one to walk out of his own grave in that power, but also that God’s power will raise US when Jesus returns. The promise of Easter is not just forgiveness, but of restoration and eternal life in Jesus!
This week, find time to live in the power of the God who rose from the dead. The message is clear and waiting to be told. Invite someone to join you who has either not heard about that power or who hasn’t heard it in a while. Join them in worship as much as possible. Let’s be ready to give an account for the hope we have in the power of the God who raises dead people to life!
~Steve
