He Is Not Here!

by Jim Watkins
Published March 29, 2005

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it (John 5:21).

"HE IS RISEN. HE IS NOT HERE," proclaimed the sign outside the large stone church. It had once been alive and active in preaching the message of the risen Lord. Now stale, still, sterile ritual filled the building where the Spirit once breathed. "He is risen. He is not here."

He is not safely confined behind the thick veils of priests, incense, holy days and ceremonies. He has torn the old system of atonement from top to bottom. He is risen. He is not here.

He is not safely confined in walls of stone. He has shaken loose earthly restraints. He has rolled away the barriers that separate Him from the outside world. He is risen. He is not here.

He is not in the grave clothes of tradition, pious phrases and lifeless legalism. The form of Christ is there, but the hollow shell only seems to echo, "He is risen. He is not here."

He is not confined by soldiers, government seals, or even organized religion. He is risen. He is not here.

Instead He dwells within those who are willing to be resurrected with Him. To breathe the fresh air of His presence. To strip off the grave clothes that restrict His movement. To walk through barriers of human limitations and expectations. To love unconditionally. He is risen. He is not here!

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