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Today's Lenten Devotion
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Victory Over the Grave
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.
-- 1 Corinthians 15:54
Last August, I attended the memorial service of a friend who died suddenly at the age of 49, leaving behind two traumatized teenage children, and hundreds of sobbing students from the school where she taught for over 20 years. Her mother was devastated, never thinking she would outlive her daughter.
The room was filled with family and friends who were saddened and shocked by her passing. Her death still hasn't become real to me, now that 6 months have passed. I still think I'll see her lining up next to me at the starting line of a race, and I have to remind myself that she is gone. Though I miss her, I believe she is where God intends her to be right now. She believed in Jesus - crucified and risen.
In the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul writes about the resurrection of the body, and how we will be changed. While we live here on earth we are sinners, mortals, perishable. The body that is buried when we die is described as a seed that will produce a renewed spiritual body when God raises us up again. The seed is sown in weakness, but will be raised in power. The seed is sown in dishonor, but is raised in glory.
The symbolism of spring flowers, such as daffodil, lilies, and tulips is beautiful with this scripture in mind for the Easter season. The bulbs are dry and ugly, and appear dead. They are planted in the ground just before it freezes, and long after the beautiful summer blooms have wilted. Yet the flowers that God raises from the bulbs are colorful, fragrant and beautiful, and mark the beginning of spring, and the end of winter.
Our mortal bodies are laid into a grave bearing the signs of life's struggles: aged, scarred, worn by sickness and struggle. Yet when God raises us up, we will be new beings free from human trauma and sin.
The perishable will be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal will become immortal. These things are promised to those who believe in Christ and accept his Word. Death is swallowed up, as Christ is victorious over sin and the grave.
Dear God, thank you for the gift of eternal life through your Son. Console those who mourn the loss of a loved one, knowing that you have conquered sin and death. Amen.
Susan Ardito
Seven7seas7@yahoo.com
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