Resurrection Power

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-23 (NIV)

¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Devotion:

            Let us consider these words of encouragement from the Apostle Paul. First of all, notice that this is a prayer. Actually, it is a selection from a larger prayer that if you have time you can look up and read. In this prayer Paul is exhorting the believers in Ephesus to live their lives in the power of the resurrection. This is a topic that is seldom mentioned from our pulpits except on Easter Sunday. The rest of the year we sort of put the topic of resurrection in a drawer and forget about it. In fact, our meetings on Sunday of each week commemorate the resurrection. So, we should take some time to consider what it means for us more often than once a year.

            Here in America, we have become a cross-centric body of Christians. While the cross is important theologically and practically to the overall message of Christ. Overlooking the Empty Tomb and our Easter hope is a genuine problem. Paul says elsewhere that “if Jesus is not raised then our hope is futile.” Indeed, without the resurrection Christianity simply become another social club and nothing more. That is the message here in Ephesians. Paul is urging the believers in Ephesus to remember the resurrection. To celebrate its life-giving power for their lives. And to live in an awareness of its ultimate purpose, the resurrection of all believers at the end of time.

            Our God, is as the old Rich Mullins anthem had it, is “An Awesome God.” This thought is what is driving Paul’s writing here in Ephesians. It is an impassioned prayer that this church and today’s church as well would know the power of the resurrection and live in its reality for their lives. It celebrates the fact that Jesus was bodily raised from the dead and that he ascended and is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven. All power in the universe has been entrusted to the son who was victorious over the grave and lives to give us that power as well. We need to realize that as his church we are to be filled with that power. Let us pray for God to fill us with that resurrection power.

Prayer:

            Glory to you almighty God. You have raised your son Jesus from the dead and glorified him throughout all of time. Empower us with your resurrection power through your Holy Spirit which you sent to us. Fill us with the life-giving hope in the resurrection power you displayed on that Easter so long ago. Teach us to live in that power each and every day. Lord, bless us at all times and in all ways to do your will. May the world see the power of Jesus alive in us and come to worship you even as we worship you. Amen.