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Spirituality Notes
Collection of Short Reflections

Out of darkness into Light

Resurrection.

The apostles never said that Jesus rose from the dead! Sounds like a bit of heresy! But, look again at the Acts of the Apostles and Paul's letters. What they say is that God raised Jesus from the dead. Resurrection is not something you do for yourself! Resurrection is God reaching down to us and lifting us up. That's what he did for Jesus and will do for us.

For years preachers have spoken of the pattern of the death and resurrection of Jesus. What do they mean?

On Good Friday Jesus suffered the terrible crucifixion on the cross. In great agony and suffering he surrendered to the Father to the extent of giving up his life. He died and lay in the tomb - waiting. He had trusted in the Father and knew the Father would reply. The reply was the Father reaching down and lifting Jesus up to life - the resurrection. The pattern is straight forward - suffering and surrender, a period of waiting for God and finally the moment God reaches down and lifts him up.

We can see the pattern in Mary of Magdala. She had stood at the foot of the cross in terrible anguish as she watched the One she loved die. This was followed by a period of waiting as still suffering she kept coming back to the tomb looking for Jesus. Then God acted. She heard her name been called and recognised Jesus. He was alive and immediately she too was lifted up.

The apostles had the same experience. They had seen all their hopes dashed and seemingly no future as Jesus their Saviour died. They waiting in fear and trembling, locking themselves in the upper room. Would they be the next for death! Jesus appeared to them and supported them in their bewilderment. Then came Pentecost and touched by the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit they became new men. They were lifted up and with great courage went forth to proclaim that God had raised Jesus from the dead. They too had experienced resurrection.

The pattern of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus - a time of suffering, a time of waiting and a time when God the Father touches us and lifts us up. Look over your life. Ask the Spirit to guide you. Search for the times in your life when you suffered to the point of handing all over to God the Father, waited in pain and resignation and then experienced the touch of God that lifted you up. Give thanks and praise.