"A Living Hope Now And Not Yet"
April 13, 2009
1 Peter 1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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He is risen! Christ has conquered death! Sometimes, I am not sure we know what this means exactly. Most of us, because of Christ's death and resurrection, will say that we are forgiven and will get to spend eternity with Him. His resurrection, however, means much more for us. It is as Peter says, it is "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading." We get more than just new and eternal life; we get new bodies and get to be a part of a new creation. In Christ, everything will be made new. This is the promise we wait for, but it is also a promise we have now. This is the Good News!
Since we are baptized into Christ, we participate in His death and His resurrection. We are new creations; we are righteous, and we actively participate in restoring God's Kingdom on earth now. This is what Christian discipleship looks like, bringing the restorative word and life of Christ to others so they too can celebrate in Christ's resurrection-not only in the future, but now. You are a new creation. Live your newly set apart and holy life and share the light of the resurrected Lord with all those who so desperately need His and our love.
THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, I pray You continue to strengthen my faith. Help me to celebrate and share Your glorious resurrection with those close to me. Use me to reach others, even as You place people in my life who encourage me to impact others with the unconditional and forgiving love of Christ. We praise You and thank You for conquering death and giving us an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Amen.
Written by Pastor Martin Danner
St. Paul Lutheran Church - Fort Worth, Texas
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