CHRIST'S BURIAL
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and THAT HE WAS BURIED, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" - 1 Cor 15:1-4

Devotion 15 of 15

THE GLORIOUS CONCLUSION
      The burial of Christ is part of the good news because we participate in it. The possibility of that participation is what makes the Gospel "good news." Our Lord's burial was so marvelous that everyone identified with it receives a blessing. Whether it is a woman anointing Him for that burial, or men performing the burial, they are blessed in the deed. If women watch Him being buried, or come to once again anoint His body, they are blessed. Even angels attended the burial of the
Lord, keeping vigil over the tomb until the women arrived. It was a place of blessing!

       We who have obeyed the Gospel have also identified with the burial of Christ. By baptism we were buried with Him, and, because of that, were also raised with Him. There, buried with Christ, the prince of darkness cannot reach us. In the heavenlies, risen with Christ, our adversary has been excluded. The condemning Law  cannot rise up against us. Our sins are separated from us, and faith lays hold of the power of God. It is a place of blessing. 

      And, if the burial of Christ is a place of blessing, what must be said of His enthronement at the right hand of God. We do not stay buried, even as Jesus did not remain in the tomb. No! We are made to sit together with Christ in heavenly places. There we are surrounded with "all spiritual blessings" (Eph 1:6). The power of God, and God Himself, are made accessible to us--because we have been buried with Christ in the likeness of His death! Thanks be unto God for the  burial of Christ, and for our identity with that burial! 

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to live consistent with the burial of the old nature, and the resurrection of the new. Help me to dwell in heavenly places , where You have placed me in Christ Jesus.

-- TOMORROW: New series, THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS --