November 19 “My Child”

Luke 8:52-56 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”  55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
 
T HIS is a good time to stop and remember what “gospel” means. “Gospel” is good news. In the past few readings, we have seen some remarkably good news wash over God’s people. Jesus has exorcised demons, restored a man to physical and mental health, healed a woman’s 12-year bleeding disorder and resurrected a dead girl.
   And as good as Jesus’ work was, these acts are but signs of God’s eternal gospel – his good news of salvation, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) The Son of God has destroyed death. He has ministered to ignite real change for real people who suffer in sin’s great penalties.
   Jesus, the Son of God, empowered with the Spirit of God, directed by the Father God, lived into the prophecy of salvation from Isaiah 61:1-2 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn. This is his ministry proclamation Luke 4:18-19 and Jesus has fulfilled the prophecy and proclamation. The Word of God has come alive.
   Can you grasp, then, the wonder of God’s love as Jesus said, “My child, get up!” These are the great words from God to cancel death. The Lord Jesus is telling his people, “I have come to save you from Satan’s deadly power over the earth.” He spoke with a Father’s words to give life to his child chosen for resurrection.
   This Father-child relationship is an expression of God’s eternal favor over all who call on Jesus’ salvation: John 1:11-13 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.  
   Know and believe the gospel of salvation. Truly it is the good news of God’s forever favor! It is his good news that tells you God promised a Savior. and God delivered his Savior.
   Do you believe the gospel is for your own life? Some people laughed at Jesus that day. They didn’t believe the little girl would live. Too many, even in the church today, do not believe in God’s gospel power. We sinfully believe, “We need more.”
    How could there be anything more than to hear, “My child, get up!”  
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling your ministry on earth. Thank you, Spirit for resurrecting me to new life. Thank you, Father, I am your child forever. Amen.