THE RESURRECTION OF BROWNIE
The poor pooch never saw it coming. Brownie, a terrier, lived with his owners, the Bratcher family, in Artesia, New Mexico. One day, Brownie’s “mom” Mary accidentally ran over him. The family tearfully laid their pet to rest in their yard.
But the Bratcher’s other dog refused to accept Brownie’s demise, so she dug his body out of the ground. The next day the family returned home to discover Brownie laying on their porch, caked with mud and dried blood. Barely breathing, they rushed Brownie to the vet. He survived and flourished.
Several thoughts come to mind. First, don’t ever bury a pet without first checking for a pulse! But beyond that astute observation, lies a lesson in hope. As they buried their pet, the Bratchers gave up hope in ever seeing Brownie again. Then Brownie was resurrected, and everything changed.
Following the death of Jesus, his followers were devastated with despair. Luke 24:21 records two of them saying, “We had hoped he was the one…” They had given up. But when they discovered—like the Bratchers—the one they loved was alive, their hope flourished like a flower in spring.
Today, our hope of eternal life rests firmly on Christ’s resurrection. First Peter 1:3 assures us, “We are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (TPT). Because Jesus rose, conquering death, I can live in victory and hope—in the absolute certainty that I will live again forever.
But the resurrection also provides us with power. Ephesians 1:19-20 assures us that the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is available to us today. “God’s power is very great for us who believe. It is the same as the mighty power he used to raise Christ from death” (ERV). The very same power that reached into that dark tomb and touched Christ’s cold corpse, raising him to life, provides us with power today—greater than an atomic explosion. No matter what you’re experiencing, Jesus has power in abundance, because even death couldn’t stop him.
The next time you feel like Brownie—buried under six feet of sod—remember the resurrection of Jesus. It’s God’s way of showing us, no matter how bad things may look, we have hope and power to triumph over it. He conquered death, and he lives forever.
Principle: The resurrection of Jesus provides us with an abundance of hope and power.
Ponder:
What are you experiencing right now in which you need the hope and power of the resurrection?
How can you connect with that hope and power?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Ephesians 1:15-23.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, I praise you for your great power displayed in your resurrection. Show me how I can tap into the hope and power your resurrection offers.”
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