Therefore, He Is Risen 4/10/20
Life sure has changed recently. We are experiencing things that we never thought of. People are finding themselves alone, worrying about their jobs, without a job, not able to see friends, not able to see their doctors for non-emergency issues, canceling weddings, not having funerals, not able to see family, or even go to church! Who would have thought?! We are seeing weird things that are becoming our new normal, for now, such as wearing masks to the grocery store, standing in line to get in the grocery store, not being able to find toilet paper, wiping off our packages before we bring them in, using wipes on everything, wearing gloves to go to the store, etc. We are using words we never, or rarely, used before such as Coronavirus, COVID-19, social distancing, pandemic, zoom, virtual, self-quarantine, community spread, self-isolation, etc. There are new meanings for lots of words such as drive-through, essential, flattening the curve, shelter in place, etc. We have really learned a lot!
It would be easy for me to have a pity party, mainly for selfish reasons like not being able to see family, friends, go to church, or Go to the beach. But I have to believe God is going to use this time in a mighty way and we have to trust our future with the One who loves us the most, our Father! I keep having to say out loud, “I am trusting you, God, therefore, I will live the gift of today in joy!”
And now it is Easter and, though we will be scattered, we will gather Sunday, together online, on TV, with family, etc., turning our worry to joy with the word, “therefore.” Therefore, He is risen! With the storms of doubt raging, we are able to say, "therefore, He is my Provider,” "therefore, He is my “Prince of Peace,” therefore, He is my “Great Physician,” therefore, He is my “Savior." Sunday online we sang, “Way Maker” by Bethel Music and we need to remember those words. We sang, “You are my Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness, My God that is Who You are!”
Therefore is in the King James version of the Bible 1467 times. "Therefore" shows us that ideas have consequences and is one of the most powerful words in Scripture. Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God." Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Romans 14:13, "Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." Romans 6:12, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." 1 Corinthians 6:20, "...you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Every one of these great "therefore's" is showing us what the Scripture is there for! As Pine Valley United Methodist Church Pastor Tim said last Sunday, "therefore" is telling us to "listen up"! In this Easter season, I leave you with the reality of resurrection and a "therefore" that flows from it. 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.'" Death has been swallowed up in victory! Stand firm! Therefore, it is Easter! Therefore, He is risen!
Let us remember the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection and His endless love. Easter blessings to my church family!