The past couple weeks I've been reading Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry and Melvin Blackaby. Normally I finish books before the book tour is upon me, but this book has such thought provoking chapters that I find myself reading a section and then wanting to put it down and just savor the words and really consider their impact, especially in these days leading up to Easter.
One of the first points the authors make is that the resurrection is an integral part of the gospel. At first glance it's easy to say, "Oh sure, I knew that." But thinking about my own church, and even my own life, I know I tend to focus on the cross and skim over the resurrection. And the authors are quick to say that the cross is important - but the defeat of sin is a result of the resurrection, not just the cross.
They go on to discuss the fact that resurrection was an act of the Father. Christ didn't raise Himself - as they put it "The Son chose to be obedient to death, but He couldn't choose to resurrect Himself from the grave. He left Himself in the hands of the Father with absolute confidence; the promise of the Father would be fulfilled in the resurrection." I don't think I'd ever looked at the resurrection in such a way as to realize that. I tend to look at it as Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection - as if they were all in His control - without seeing the bigger picture of the Father's plan.
Finally, the authors take you through the peace, joy, authority, confidence, hope, and power that we can have when we live what they term "the resurrection life." That is, when we live knowing that we, too, have been raised out of eternal death by the Father through the resurrection of the Son. As I said before, each chapter - even each segment of each chapter - is filled with thoughts that need to be lingered over and absorbed.
Even though I'm only about 2/3 through, I recommend this highly...and I have one extra copy to give away. So, if you're interested, leave a comment. If there's more than one response by Friday I'll pick a random winner (make sure to leave an email address where I can get you so that we can coordinate where I should ship your book.)
9 hours ago
Sounds very interesting. Can I borrow your copy when you're done or should I enter your give-away?
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely borrow mine. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect book to be reading during this time of the year. I need to put that one of my list of books to buy. Since I've alredy been blessed to receive one of your books I will not enter the give-away but I hope you post another post when you are done reading!
ReplyDeleteDawn
PS Hope I did the comment thing right...still not sure how to leave my name on some of the bloggers comments. :)
Oh, Beth, I would love to read this book. Please may I enter the giveaway? :-)
ReplyDeleteI love that the resurrection sealed the entire deal, that everything our Saviour did was approved and we can live again, because death was defeated.