-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --
http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 2008
/--- READY TO CHANGE THE WORLD? -----------------------------\
ACU students do every day! Click to find out more
about Abilene Christian University, recognized as one of
"America's Best Colleges" by the U.S. News & World Report.
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/4/ ---------------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Independence Day, by Phil Ware
Les came back from World War II without one arm and missing several
fingers on the other hand. He has carried the price tag of freedom in
his own body ever since. He is like so many who are among us who
purchased and preserved our freedom at great cost. It is a cost they
can never forget because they bear on their bodies and their psyches
the horrors of war. But Les came back. Tens of thousands of others
never came back from World War II, or Korea, or Viet Nam or from the
deserts of ... The old Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young song speaks
truth, even in protest of war:
Find the cost of freedom,
buried in the ground.
Mother earth will swallow you,
lay your body down.
As U.S. citizens celebrate this Independence Day, let's remember that
cost that has been paid to purchase freedom -- not just for a nation,
but for all people!
There was a war for all the human race in which freedom for all people
was purchased. This freedom was purchased at great cost as well. The
symbol of that cost is not a hillside of white crosses or the Tomb of
the Unknown or a black wall of names. As precious as these symbols are
to those who know them and the people they represent, they do not
compare to the symbol of the Empty Tomb. This symbol transcends ethnic
and national boundaries.
The Empty Tomb is the symbol of the cost of true freedom for all people
-- the cost of Jesus leaving the security and power of heaven and
becoming earthbound and mortal (Philippians 2:5-11). It is the symbol
of the degradation of crucifixion before a jeering and mocking mob. It
is the symbol of an agonizing death on a cross when he had the power to
prevent it. It is also the symbol of three days in the ground -- Jesus
literally lay his body down. But the words to this tune are different.
"Find the cost of freedom, no longer in the ground."
You see, the Empty Tomb is the sign of ultimate freedom. It is the
reminder that we no longer have to fear death. All of our mortal fears
are conquered. As the apostle Paul says:
Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
(1 Corinthians 15:54-55 NLT).
For the Christian, Independence Day doesn't come once a year. No, for
Jesus' followers, Independence day comes every Sunday! The early
Christians met on the first day of the week, the Lord's Day (Revelation
1:10), Sunday, to take of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7). This is their
Independence Day. By the end of the first century, Sunday had become
the Lord's Day. On this day they remembered the Lord's death and
anticipated his return because freedom from death had been won.
Independence Day is the day of the Empty Tomb! So as each Sunday
approaches, let's remember the cost of our freedom and give thanks!
Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in
their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds
the power of death -- that is the devil -- and free those who all
their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews
2:14-15).
Independence Day is the day of the Empty Tomb!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How has Jesus brought you independence?
How would Sunday, and Communion, be different if we celebrated it in
light of the resurrection and Jesus victory and not just remembering
the crucifixion?
Do you think there is something important about the early Christians
taking the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week, the day of
Jesus' resurrection, rather than taking it on the day of his
crucifixion?
I'd love to hear from you on my blog about this:
http://www.thephilfiles.com
---------
(c) 2008 Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* For Freedom
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200607/20060703_forfreedom.html
* Jesus' Blood
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200104/20010410_jesusblood.html
* Authority and Independence
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi?1102
* Southern Hills Church of Christ
http://www.southernhillschurch.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200806/20080630_independenceday.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
WOW HITS 2006, by Various Artists
They're here---all the chart-topping radio hits by your favorite
Christian artists! Two CD boxed set.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?258
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/
\/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
