The Light of Resurrection - Pt 3

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. (Romans 5:12-15 ESV).

Today you should have six of your seven candles lit to begin the devotional. As you read the Scripture for today it is unmistakable that God created people to give him glory. And he created a perfect place for them, a place that reflected his glory. He gave them everything they could need or want for happiness; however, they didn’t really believe God’s gifts to them were enough for them. So they made a choice to take their destiny into their own hands and lost their perfect place to live and their relationship with God. Ultimately their introduced pain, futility, and death into their lives and all of their progeny. At this point you should extinguish today’s candle. Begin to meditate on the additional darkness that has now been added to the new environment. All of this is due first to the sin of Adam and Eve (v. 12). Of course we also bear responsibility for our own choices, however without the introduction of sin and death into the world through the sin of Adam and Eve we would be facing an entirely different circumstance. We can lament the result of this sin or we can focus on the provision of God in view of our situation. Easter is such a time, calling us to focus on this wonderful gift of redemption. It is such a basic point. Because of Adam we have more darkness; we have sin and all the consequences of that disobedience, we have pain and struggle throughout this life, and we must contend with the truth that death is a part of every man’s experience. Perhaps the last of those is the most difficult for us to cope with. Not long ago I was working with someone as they lamented the news that they had been diagnosed with an incurable disease that would ultimately end in their death. The specialist they had seen simply said, “There’s nothing we can do but make you comfortable.” My first thought was that at least there was some comfort from the physical pain available. Then I began to muse about the truth that all of us have received that diagnosis. No one gets out of this life without dying! The greater truth is that we have the ultimate treatment plan provided by God to release us from all pain. Death itself has been overcome by the work of Jesus! The Great Physician has just informed all of us that death is no longer a threat to us; eternal life and perfection awaits us.