Resurrection People

Joshua 10:16-27 (NRSV) Joshua defeats five kings Meanwhile, these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, "The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah." Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them; but do not stay there yourselves; pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Do not let them enter their towns, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand." When Joshua and the Israelites had finished inflicting a very great slaughter on them, until they were wiped out, and when the survivors had entered into the fortified towns, all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah; no one dared to speak against any of the Israelites. Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out to me from the cave." They did so, and brought the five kings out to him from the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. When they brought the kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the Israelites, and said to the chiefs of the warriors who had gone with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. And Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous; for thus the Lord will do to all the enemies against whom you fight." Afterward Joshua struck them down and put them to death, and he hung them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. At sunset Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves; they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day. DEVOTION Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Today is Easter Monday and I am still celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I have to admit that I am shocked by today's prescribed scripture. I have no idea why murder and mayhem rule our reading on the day after Resurrection Morn. Perhaps this is a reminder that we must be Resurrection people in a Good Friday world. Our Good Friday world is full of competition, war, murder, mayhem, defeat, anger, worry, anxiety, and fear. But, as children of the resurrection we live counter-culturally by embracing lives full of love, joy, peace, hope, and faith in the Risen One! Because Jesus lives, we live! And because Jesus conquered all our Good Friday foes, we can reflect the Light and Life of Jesus for all of those people who still dwell in darkness. It is appropriate that we are reminded on this day that not all have experienced the peace and goodwill of Jesus! Let us commit to carry the good news message to everyone whom we meet on this day! For God does the love the world so much that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life! And God is so powerful that even death could not hold Jesus in the grave, rather, he got up on the third day with all power in his hands! Now, ain'ta that good news?! Let's pray: God please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can show forth your love and resurrection power everywhere I go. I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen. INVITATION If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @ http://bit.ly/JVhaL