1 QUOTE

“Get up! Get up! Get up! Get up out of that grave!”

- Elevation Worship

1 NOTE

Last December, Becky, Joy (our college-aged daughter) and I had the honor of ministering at the Revive Missions Conference. The conference took place in Krakow, Poland. The theme of the conference was ‘Prepare the Way.’ One of the scheduled events was an evangelistic outreach at the Main Square in Old Town. Krakow Square is the principal urban space, located in the very center of the city. Main Square dates back to the 13th Century. The Square is the largest public square in all of Europe. On that foggy late afternoon, 100+ evangelists from Steiger International Ministries, lead by Luke and Anya Greenwood, walked by faith into the square. A team of bold musicians filled Main Square with worship. Crowds gathered. The gospel was preached. The evangelists walked the crowd like Spurgeon’s ministers, following the ‘Hound of Heaven.’ The evening ended with Elevation Worship’s refrain, “Get up out that grave” ascending to heaven.

Resuscitation are the miracles of dead people coming back to life (Jairus’ daughter, the Widow at Nain’s son, and Lazarus). Resurrection is the emergence of a new creation. Resuscitation is humanity revived. Resurrection is alien to earth. The contrast between resuscitation and resurrection is most clearly seen in John 20. In John 11, Lazarus is dead, in a sealed tomb. Jesus calls his name and the dead man comes out walking. But he is covered in grave clothes. Jesus commands the people standing by him, “Unbind him (from the grave clothes) and let him go” (John 11:44).  In John 20, Jesus is dead, in a sealed tomb. The Father calls his name and Jesus walks out of the tomb. But the grave clothes do not bind Jesus. He wrapped them up and neatly placed them by themselves (John 20:7). Jesus is no longer in human form. Death and all of the dark army forces do not stick to Jesus. He is now resurrected, walking out of the tomb as the first born of the new creation. When Jesus got up of that grave, He was the first of Humanity 2.0. 

On that cold afternoon in Krakow Square, the Holy Spirit gave a special encouragement to Anya and her Kingdom leadership. As she was leading the ministry team into the square, she was stopped by police officers. But they were not there to shut you down. They formed a caravan and told her, “Follow us, we are here to ’Prepare the Way’ for you” (the conference theme). 

Get up out that grave!

1 QUESTION

What grave clothes are clinging to you this week? In the power of Jesus, may you be free!

Until Next Tuesday,

John