
The Next Resurrection


From the Upper Room to the Throne Room

Introduction: Tracing the last steps of our Lord Jesus reminds us of His ultimate mission for coming to this earth. He went from CELEBRATION in the Upper Room, to DESPERATION in the Garden of Gethsemane, to CRUCIFIXION on the cross, to RESURRECTION from the grave, and to His coming REVELATION in the clouds!
John writes, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:7-8).
The songwriter penned these words,
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day.
1. Jesus’ CELEBRATION with His disciples at the Last Supper was marked with HUMILITY!
He used the “broken bread” and “poured out juice” commemorating the Passover which was initiated by the Lord in the book of Exodus. The elements (bread & juice) are used symbolically of His broken body and shed blood as a sacrifice on the cross. Although at the moment the disciples did not fully understand the meaning, later they were able to grasp its significance. Therefore, it radically transformed their lives….and this writer, to0.
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives” (Matt 26:26-30).
2. Jesus’ CRUCIFIXION on the cross was marked with AGONY! (John19:16-19) – “Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
3. Jesus’ RESURRECTION from the grave was marked with VICTORY! (Luke 24:1-6) – “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.”
The grave could not contain Him!
4. Jesus’ “SECOND COMING” will be marked with GLORY! (Rev 19:11-16)
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
- To Forgive!
- To Love!
- To Keep!
- To Bless!
- To Comfort!
- To Accept!
- To Empower!
- To Come Again!

The Key Witnesses for the Resurrection

Follow the three breakthroughs that these two men received when they were gloomy and doomy. As they walked and talked, the risen Lord joined their conversation. First, their BLIND EYES had to be opened to SEE that JESUS was the SON of GOD! Next, their DULL hearts were QUICKENED to believe the Bible was the WORD of God! Finally, their EMPTY lives were FILLED by the Spirit of God in order to be witnesses of the Power of God!
They could hardly wait until the morning. Early before sunrise, the women made their way to where they laid the body of Jesus, which was in a borrowed tomb. Have you ever wondered why? Well, He would not need it but 3 DAYS!! Nevertheless, the Angel met them declaring that He was not there but had risen from the dead. Quickly, they ran to tell the good news to the disciples. Are you going to tell the world that Jesus Christ is Alive?
Meanwhile, while the disciples—minus Thomas—were together, Jesus appeared to them. Astonished and amazed that He had come back to life, they tried to explain the supernatural phenomena to Thomas, who doubted. However, his doubting turned into shouting when he saw firsthand the nail prints in His hands and the wound in His side. Is your doubting going to turn into shouting?
There is no other explanation but the risen Lord Jesus has radically changed my life! Others can argue and debate about the resurrection, along with His credibility, until they die—but they will never convince this Pastor, because He has forgiven my sins and changed my life!! Has He changed your life?

Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters!


The Kangaroo Court

Next, the formal trial began early in the morning, during which Jesus was sent to Pilate. Some suggest that the Jewish trial verdict could not have sentenced Jesus to death; therefore, He was sent to be sentenced before the Roman court headed by Pilate.
Please do not overlook the word “malefactor.” Why? Because it perhaps explains some of the charges brought against Jesus. The word “malefactor” is κακός, which means bad, evil, wicked, and even harmful.

The Cup Before the Cross

Get the picture. Jesus had just finished the Passover meal with His disciples, with one who was a devil, and while explaining His death—which they were oblivious to—the events concerning the “cup” would transpire in just a few hours. Nonetheless, after washing their feet, He rises from the table and makes His way to a garden—not any old garden, but the one called Gethsemane.
By the way, the word Gethsemane is the Hebrew equivalent גת שמנא (gath shemanim), which directly translates to “oil press.” What a graphic description of God the Son’s will being pressed out. Do you think our will needs to follow His?
Did you know our Father has a purpose for you? In other words, we are not on earth just to take up space! Instead, our purpose is to be made more like Him. Why? In order for those who do not know Him, that they will not only come to know Him, but will also love Him, and then in turn, serve Him.
While those who do not know the God of the Bible are running day after day in their own world, eternity is the destination of every human being. Sadly, some will miss heaven. Blinded by the god of this world, many are chasing their own dreams, pursuing their own desires, and living only for the present and forgetting eternity.
However, according to the Bible, a rude awakening is ahead for those who do not have time to make things right with God, or do not have any concern for the things of God.
Are you a part of the family of God? If so, remember, we have a “CUP” to drink from before our CROSS we are to carry.

Deeper Than Water

1. Water Baptism is an “Outward Demonstration” of an “Inward Revelation”! (Rom 6:1-5) – “……3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
2. Water Baptism is an “Outward Demonstration” of an Inward Appropriation”! (Rom 6:6-11) – “6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
3. Water Baptism is an “Outward Demonstration” of an “Inward Manifestation” (Rom 6:12-13) – “2Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”

Working Out What God Works In

By the way, what may seem like a contradiction to the average reader concerning this process turns out to be a fairly basic principle. Let’s take a look at the book.
Please be sure to read this not only in its context but also comparing Scripture with Scripture. For example, from a prison incarceration, Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, gives specific instructions to the Church of Philippi as well as us today in regards to living the Christian life. More specifically, he describes this supernatural life, revealing it to be characterized by humiliation, self-renunciation, and for the purpose of edification for other believers. Using the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he mirrors the life that pleases our Heavenly Father. With that being said, he admonished the believers to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” But what does he mean? How can that be done?
Obviously, God is not contradicting His Word by telling us to “WORK” for your salvation, because it is clearly not obtained by WORKS (Eph 2:8,9; Titus 3:5,6). Howbeit, He is pointing to the process once we’ve been forgiven—saved—to WORK OUT the process of sanctification.
Bottom line: The Holy Spirit of God WORKS in the “Truth of God” thru the WORD of God, which in turn transforms the believer’s mind, will, and emotions. The end result is a change of lifestyle as the Christian yields to the power of the Holy Spirit. Are you letting the Word of God change your thought process?

The Need for Speed

Think about it. From the internet, to cell phone pick up, to cable connections, to satellite speed there is a push for receiving faster information through technological advances.
Technically speaking this passage of Scripture is during the tribulation (Rev 6–18), which comes after the rapture of the Church (1 Thess 4:13–18). The focal point is the nation of Israel—more specifically the “Day of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer 30:7). Yet, at the same time, we are facing days of tribulation even today. Please understand, it will intensify. But the “Good News” is that we can share “Triumphant Truth” during troubled times! Are you doing it! Why be negative? Our Lord is on His throne! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
(Dan 12:2,3) – “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
Inevitably, Judgement Day is coming! Can we prepare others to get ready? What are you doing to lovingly warn others to run from the wrath that is to come in the future (Rev 20:11–15)?
As mentioned earlier in this devotion, we have seen an explosion of technology in the last few years. Actually, it is hard to keep up with it, due to it changing so often. What we can do, however, is prepare to “fly in the sky” when Christ comes again. Are you looking forward to that great getting up morning?

Fill My Cup Lord

Let’s take a look at the book:
The key is “believing”. Do you believe? If so, get ready for a raging River to flow through you.
There was a weary, worn-out woman who discovered the WATER of LIFE. Actually, she had her water pot ready to fill it up from a deep well. But it just so happens that Jesus, due to weariness, is sitting on the well. Meanwhile, He strikes up a conversation with her because He knew her great need was to drink of the LIVING WATER that He offers all. Back and forth the dialogue went until He revealed her empty cup and broken life.
Next, as her eyes were opened, her heart was quickened, and her life was changed—all because she tasted of the fountain of living water that flowed from the LOVER of her SOUL! Once her cup was FILLED as she drank the water Jesus offered her, then a RIVER of Life flowed to others whose CUP was FILLED as well.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese