21 - The Rock (Nehemiah)

Intro: Paul's heart cry was to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection. You can read about it in Philippians 3:10. Today, I want to show you the way to resurrection life. This way is found hidden in the story of Christ's crucifixion and burial. Resurrection means restoration. It means the conquering of death. The resurrection also shows God's life triumphs over our traumas and tragedies. Christ's resurrection reveals to us that the devil never has the last say. It also unveils that God has not rejected creation––the bodies he has formed––for Christ was physically raised from the dead. Whatever you're struggling with, the answer is Christ's resurrection life within you. Ultimately, resurrection means shalom––God's peace, completeness and wholeness. It's out of Christ's resurrection life that you truly live and minister life to others. So what is the road to resurrection life?

1) R - Rest by Retreating to the Rock of Refuge (Luke 23:53; Ps. 62:1-8).

In order for Christ to be resurrected, he had to enter into God’s rest.

This meant that Jesus surrendered fully to the Father’s will and committed his Spirit to God (Luke 23:46).

In the end, he said, “It is finished” and can to an end of his work (John 19:30).

After this ultimate death––the death of all deaths––Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus from Pontius Pilate. Joseph then put Jesus into his own tomb (Matt. 27:60).

Jospeh also wrapped Jesus in clean and aromatic linen cloths.

I want you to notice how thoroughly and sacrificially, Joseph took care of the body of Christ––even though the body of Christ could not help him at the present time.

The Lord wants us to be like this Jospeh of Arimathea.

Usually, this man is overlooked, forgotten.

But without this man, there is no resurrection.

Yosef יוסף in Hebrew means ‘He adds’ or ‘Yahweh adds’. It’s Hebrew root means to ‘increase, more, again, add, exceed or join.’

A Joseph kind of person is one who makes a difference. They add life and spiritual wealth to Jesus’ disciples. They are givers and helpers. They bring increase by their servant hearts.

I see many of these people in our church.

And the Lord wants us to continue to be one’s who add and not take away.Each of us needs Jospehs in our lives––people that add spiritual life to us, people that care for us even when we are limp and at the end of ourselves.

God’s apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are men and women like Joseph––they equip, empower and add.

Ultimately, they put us in a place to receive resurrection life in Jesus. They encourage us––and even carry us––to God’s rock of refuge.

The first step into resurrection life is by ceasing from our own works and entering into the retreat of God as our rock.

Listen to Psalm 62:1-8.

David often sings about God as his Rock (Ps. 94:22; 18:2; 71:3, 62:7, etc).

The rock he is singing about is not a small little rock. Instead, he is meaning a huge rock that’s immovable––a place where you can find refuge. It’s in the rock––in this place of Sabbath rest––that you will find resurrection life.

So let the Holy Spirit and God’s Josephs, carry you to the “rock that is higher than I” (Ps 61:2).

2) O - Open yourself to God’s breath (Gen. 2:7-8).

In the beginning, Adam came to life because of God’s breath.

God’s breath is his Spirit, his Ruach רוח. There’s lots of different sources of inspiration for people, but the only true source of inspiration is God’s breath.

Through God’s breath we truly live.

When you put yourself in the right place––the Rock––then you can receive God’s breath.

Through the cross, the Father brought Jesus right back to the beginning.

Through his death, Jesus was like Adam in the dust––unable to save himself or bring about life.

Jesus was in a Garden––that’s where his tomb was.It’s in that garden tomb that the Father breathe life again into Jesus––and he came alive again––he resurrected.

It’s in the same way--when we allow God to have full control over our lives and let him sow us into his garden that we receive God’s breath--his wind of life.

3) C - Cover yourself––or rather let yourself be covered––in Christ’s righteousness, nature and character (John 19:38-42).

The breath of God’s resurrection life (Eze. 37) does not always come immediately. You’ll need to wait for it.

Or rather, wait for him––God’s Spirit.

Remember, Jesus had to wait in the tomb––during the Sabbath––for resurrection life.

And also remember, you are the body of Christ.

It was during this time that Joseph of Arimathea covered him completely in clean, white and aromatic linen. Jesus’ body was completely covered in myrrh and other fragrant spices.

The tomb was dark and sealed, but it was also very fragrant.

And we are not talking about cheap cologne, but rather very costly spices.

It’s in the time of darkness that the Holy Spirit wants to cover you in the fragrances of Christ’s righteousness, nature and character.

Remember, when the Holy Spirit is first found in Scripture? He is hovering in the darkness.

And every good pastor and leader––like Jospeh––that’s the goal of their ministry: to cover you you.

But not the type of covering of authoritarian leadership, but rather the covering of Christ’s nature found through the Word of God.

Once covered, you are ready to be resurrected.

And in this life you will need continual resurrection life.

It’s not a one time thing, but rather a cycle of inward death and supernatural resurrection life.

In other words, let your life be completely hidden in Christ (Col. 3:3-4).

4) K - Know your King and His Kingdom (John 11:25-26).

The last part of receiving resurrection life is knowing your King and his Kingdom.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11: ).

He has conquered all sin, death, sickness. He has overcome Satan’s power.

His Kingdom is full of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

There is no Kingdom or culture or business or person, more powerful than his Kingdom.

Paul’s cry was: “I want to know him––the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings…”

Jesus is the ROCK (1 Cor. 10:4).

The road to resurrection life is always through the pathway of humility.

Down through the years, Anna and I have learned that the humble way is the miraculous way. Yes, this way is painful, but it's the only pathway to authentically knowing (ידע yada) God's power. This is the message hidden in the tenth Hebrew letter: Yod י (or often spelled, Yud). Yod י is the smallest of all Hebrew letters; Rabbis refer to it as a dot. Its minuscule nature reflects humility, and yet Yahweh (יהוה YHVH) does not leave this letter drowning in the dust. Instead, he lifts it up so that it hangs on nothing, sitting miraculously on high. James (Ya'akov יעקב) captures this way of God, saying, "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you" (James 4:10). Our Lord graces Yod י by beginning his covenantal name, Yahweh (יהוה YHVH), with the humblest of all letters. Our Father also names his son, Jesus, originally Yeshua ישׁוע, beginning with Yod. As we meditate on Yeshua's sacrifice, we see that he demonstrated humility by stretching out each hand (yad יד) on the cross. Yes, his death was humiliating, and yet his Father exalted him to the highest place (Phil 2:6-11). That's why we call today Good Friday. Psalm 119:73 (the Yod י portion) begins with this humble prayer: "Your hands (ידיך Yadeykha) made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments."

Conclusion: What’s the way to resurrection? 1) R - Rest, 2) O - Open yourself to God, 3) C - Cover yourself, and 4) K - Know the King and his Kingdom. On other words, go to the ROCK.

The resurrection of Christ means that no matter what people do to you, they cannot alter God’s power and purpose for you.

Breath on Me, Breath of God by Edwin Hatch (1878)

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love the way you love,

and do what you would do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

until my heart is pure,

until my will is one with yours,

to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

so shall I never die,

but live with you the perfect life

for all eternity.

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