November 5: CHANGE!
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 1 Corinthians 15:51
These words are often framed and hanging in church nurseries. It’s as if a baby is doing the telling. And what nursery worker hasn’t—at least secretly—hoped for a few minutes of collective naptime among the little bosses, especially during those “special” moments when urgently needed changes of the more serious variety become pungently evident?
Paul addresses believers in the above verse. He reminds us that some, perhaps many, of God’s people will still be alive on the earth when the Savior returns. But others of Christ’s followers, indeed many others, will have fallen asleep.
When Jesus went to the cross, He resolutely offered Himself in our place. And after resting in the tomb on the Sabbath day, He rose victoriously from the grave. It was His absolute sinlessness that rendered death unable to hold Him. This sinless record is being freely offered to each of us, if we will follow Him, allowing Him to continually cleanse us as we go. My choice to cooperate with this sanctification process determines the heavenward direction of my life.
During His life on earth Jesus demonstrated for us victory over the temptation to sin. Oh, how the devil wanted to trip Him up! But maintaining a close relationship with His heavenly Father along with belief in the written Word empowered Him to avoid the snares of sin so enticingly presented. Never forget that the Son of God laid aside His royal divinity, completely humbling Himself as a man in order to be the perfect Example to fallen humanity. His favorite earthly title was Son of Man.
Beloved, if we want to have victory over death, we must first look to Jesus for victory that we need over sin! We already know that we are living under a death sentence (Ecclesiastes 9:5), and we know that Jesus has conquered death. But if we are living under the illusion that suffering and death are our main enemies—and not sin—then our focus is wrong. Sin is the greatest enemy of life. It is the cause of death.
As we celebrate the season of the Messiah’s humble birth, let us meditate upon the significance of His earthly name: Jesus! This name is rich with meaning, the purpose for which He came: …you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Job understood the reality of sin and its connection to death. It is this reality that underscores the miracle of the resurrection to eternal life that God will give to His true followers. Though it is yet future, it is closer now than ever before!
If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You shall call, and I will answer You; You shall desire the work of Your hands. Job 14:14-15