Romans 1:4 "Declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection."

That there was an awesome aspect in the crucifixion of our Lord, something beyond the human in this Man who hung there, was evident even to the centurion and his soldiers. They said, in awe and fear: "Surely He was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54).

There is also an awesome aspect to Jesus' resurrection. There was awe enough when our Lord called back to life the dead bodies of others. He spoke, and the dead heard Him and arose. Yet this awe reached its greatest height when Jesus Himself arose from the dead. For He had said: "Destroy this temple (of His body), and I will raise it again in three days" (John 2:19-21). This He did by His power and by that of "the glory of the Father."

So in days when the odds seem all against us and our strength fails and our security is shaken, we need to know that He who loved us unto death does not love us helplessly. With a love that is strong as it is tender, as almighty as it is compassionate, He stands at our side. In days when all seems lost, as it seemed long ago to His followers, let us remember the risen Christ, who by His resurrection was declared to be the Son of God who loved us and died for our sins and sorrows. In the world to come we shall have an endless, glorious life with Christ.

PRAYER: Strong Son of God, be our faithful and compassionate Friend forever. Amen.

(Taken from "Words of Promise," copyright 1996, Concordia Publishing House (out of print). For information on other devotional materials, call 1-800-325-3040.)

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 1-3    Luke 17:20-37

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