Resurrection!

What a dead-looking plant! Maybe you think that your life is like that—all shriveled up and dead-looking. Jesus was literally dead after he was crucified; as they put his body in the tomb his disciples still didn’t understand that he had to die and rise from the dead. I can imagine that they thought it was over—nice while it lasted but now done. Now what?

But no, God didn’t send his only Son just to end up dead in a sealed cave! The Holy Spirit, whom Jesus described as "living water" (John 7:37-39) “poured” into Jesus’ dead body (Romans 8:11) and raised it (him!) from the dead!


As I have poured water on this plant, it has come to back to life—that’s why it’s often called the Resurrection Plant. I enjoyed watching these plants so much as a child, I was excited to see them again in the science hobby section of a large craft store.


The instructions that came with it say that it prefers hot water, which will revive it the fastest. Hmmm, the Holy Spirit is often related to fire (Acts 2). It should be fully revived in three hours… The instructions also say that if you watch closely enough you might see it move—I did! That if you listen closely you might hear the sound of the branches expanding—not yet.


Just as the power of the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, the Holy Spirit can resurrect your life--even if it seems as good as dead. Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins, so we don't have to. But the rest of the story is that Jesus was gloriously raised--he didn't stay dead (I Corinthians 15:14-19)! When you become a follower of Jesus--obedient to his teachings (John 8:31), you gain access not only to Jesus’ payment for your sins through his death--in your place, but to the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit for a new life!

Do you want to know more? Write to me at leafyjounal@yahoo.com