Christ, the RESURRECTION

Before us is the grave yard — it reminds us of the entrance of sin, and of its consequence, our mortality. Here is the end of all people. Here lie the rich and the poor — for all go to one place. Shortly we also must put off these earthly tabernacles, and they must mingle with their fellow earth. But will they lie here forever — will they be remembered no more? O no, the Lord will call — and we shall answer Him, and He will have respect unto the work of His hands. Jesus is here set before us as "The Resurrection, and the Life." "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ — shall all be made alive." Our Christian brethren who are slumbering here, "shall rise again." Jesus has overcome death, and triumphed over the tomb. He was dead — but is alive again; and behold He has "the keys of Hell and of death." He shall quicken our bodies by His Spirit which dwells in us.

Let us not indulge in melancholy, as we travel towards this house appointed for all living — but let us remember that the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. The saint cannot be forgotten, though He slumbers in the dust for a thousand years — for His witness is in Heaven and His record is on high. Let us then rejoice in this, that our names "are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." And being entered in that imperishable volume, they shall be mentioned with honor when "this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." We rise into communion with God — by faith in Jesus now; we shall rise "in the likeness of His resurrection," and be filled with all the fullness of God — by union to Jesus then. Savior! Live in me on earth, that I may live with you in Heaven! Raise my affections from earth and fix them on "things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God."

Believers, hail your risen head,
The first begotten from the dead;
Your resurrection's sure through his,
The endless life and boundless bliss.

J.Sm.