LESSONS IN RESURRECTION STORIES

LESSONS IN RESURRECTION STORIES 

The reality of resurrection is  written in the Bible.  Any denial does not reduce the potency of the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead . The specific post crucifixion section being considered here  is contained in John 19:23-24 KJV. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. [24] They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.. The three major lessons are; 

1. Materialism is not the goal of genuine spirituality.  The gospel of health and wealth doesn't capture the true meaning of biblical prosperity. It is suspected that the commitment of the Roman army to the death of Jesus Christ may be remotely connected to the sharing of his garments. By inference,  people engage in acquisition of wealth and possessions without cognizance for the righteousness taught in the scripture. When we acquire wealth without considering the pain others will go through; it is ungodly.   God's judgement is inevitable . Whoever loves money never has enough  money ; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. .

          Paul wrote to Timothy, But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.(1 Timothy 6:4-11). David gave a better conclusion,  We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.(Ps.39:6). Is it clothes that matter or salvation received by the thief on the cross? 

2. Gambling should not be a means to becoming rich. This is a timeless truth  that any believer's genuine love for God must transcend  his or her  love for material gain.  As in gambling and like a trophy of war, the soldiers at the cross of Jesus did "try your luck" to see who would get the last apparel Jesus put on. This is  a process that doesn't represent biblical  approach to get divine power to make wealth. (Deut 8:18). A called minister of the living God would read this section of the casting lot about Jesus' garment with  broken  heart that  the love for His garment blindfolded the army and led to their failure to appropriate  his mercy. We must not gamble or engage in any form of betting. 

3. Avoid Profiting from the problem of others.  One of the real problems with security and law enforcement agencies is intimidation to extort and profit from mistake made.  They capitalise on the fact that the law doesn't excuse ignorance.  Some medical personnels and institutions do use occasions of pain and expediency  for remedy as a catchment for their economic advantage.  Recently,  an Auto Electrician Expert brought computer to rectify the malfunctioning of a CRV. Before doing anything,  he insisted on =N=40,000.00 (Forty Thousand Naira ) They eventually negotiated it to 50% reduction.  It took him 10mins to imput  a secret code.  The suspicion that the job was a syndicate plan to extort cannot be ruled out.  Why do we engage in inhumanity against fellow men.  Pilate,  Herod,  Roman Soldiers etc  are human beings like us.  We must not use people's predicament as platform to promote our ego. We must be helpful to those who enter into problems.

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Rev Dr Kehinde Babarinde,  is the President , Lagos Central Baptist Conference.  A Relationship Advisor and an Accredited Management Trainer; Babarinde is a pastoral leader and an ecumenst.