RESURRECT YOUR SPIRITUAL SENSES

(7-minute read)

Over Good Friday and the Easter holidays, Christians commemorated the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ that are the central tenets of our faith. Believers also took  holy communion to observe what Jesus instructed at His final supper with the twelve disciples when He said, ‘Do this in remembrance of Me.’ (Luke 22:19). For believers, remembering the events that led up to Christ’s resurrection ought to also resurrect our spiritual senses of who Jesus is - our Lord, Saviour and King. 

So when people ask why Christians celebrate Easter, we know it is not just an opportunity to invite them to a church service. More than that, it is an opportunity for us to share about encountering God’s power in difficult situations, about being led by His voice when we were lost, or about receiving a life-transforming revelation that led to a personal breakthrough. All of which would demonstrate that the Jesus who is celebrated at Easter is still active in our lives all the time. Or is He?

How alive are our spiritual senses to Him so that we know what He is doing and how we are to respond?

There are three ways we can learn to magnify the reality of Jesus everyday:

RECOGNIZE THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

The life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus were spectacular only because they pointed to the power and authority of God through His Son. Instead of the human narrative in his life, people began to see God’s narrative woven into all that He had said and done. Nothing He said or did was not God’s idea (John 5:19-20). In fact, Jesus’ resurrection confirmed for many, including His own disciples, that He was indeed the Son of God. 

Remarkably, a centurion (Roman military commander) who had witnessed (and very likely been involved in) the final persecution of Jesus was awoken in his spirit and suddenly recognized God’s power and authority in the entirety of Jesus’ life and ministry. He then came to this conclusion: “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54 & Mark 15:38-39). 

Indeed, the authority of Jesus forms a critical foundation of our relationship with God. His authority empowers us to relinquish positive thinking (self-reasoning) and embrace promise thinking (trusting God). 

To recognize the authority of Jesus is to give Him control over our life narratives, and let Him be the author and finisher of our faith because of the finished work on the Cross. (Hebrews 12:2 NKJ). 

RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF JESUS

We know that the human voice has the power to convey emotions, build trust and create intimacy; all of which are necessary for deepening connection in our relationships. Over the internet, there is a cacophony of voices presenting, defending and opposing different viewpoints. To Christians, the most important voice must be the voice of Jesus. If we ignore His voice, we minimize His reality in our lives. 

After the crucifixion on Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid before daybreak. If she had been reading God’s narrative in His life accurately, she had reason to hope that there was more to come. John 20:1 tells us that “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”

She then ran back to tell the others about it but returned to linger outside the empty tomb. Talk about a diehard and devoted follower. By now, there was a new buzz swirling around an empty tomb but there were still no answers. But she was ‘reading the situation closely’ and convinced that it was ‘telling her something’. But she did not know what it was. She only had questions.

“Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:13). She responded without finding it unusual to speak with the two angels who were sitting where Jesus’ body was laid a day earlier. Then, there was a second voice, “Woman, why are you crying?” (John 20:15). Mistaking Jesus for a gardener who oddly appeared from behind, she pleaded, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” 

‘Mary’ was all the ‘gardener’ said. The voice took her back to past conversations she had with Jesus, and she instinctively knew that it was Him without any further evidence (though He did not look the same as before). Spontaneously, she responded, ‘Rabboni!’ (Teacher). Convinced that she had seen Him, she told the disciples that she had seen the Lord. (John 20:18).

Know that today, Jesus still calls us by name – that has not changed. We should not be satisfied with just hearing preachers talk about Him, or reading about Him from the Bible yet never learn to recognize His voice. Consider the inner voice of assurance that came to you in the cave of indecision and uncertainty. Or the strong intuition that warned you about something not being quite right. Or the articulation of faith that caught you by surprise when walking on the tightrope of fear and doubt. Was it just you being smart? Or was God speaking to you?

But how can we discern that the voice that speaks to us comes from God, and that we are not hearing the voice of our own desire, intellect or fear, or even the voice of contradictory influences directing us?

RECOGNIZE THE WORDS OF JESUS

In His life, Jesus faced numerous critics, including Jews, who questioned the authority of His teachings. His response was, “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of Him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” (John 7:16-18 ESV). In other words, Jesus would never contradict God’s Word. He was the Word made flesh (John 1:4). Anything we hear that depends on human reasoning rather than illuminate our understanding of God’s Word is likely not from God. 

If you have made grave mistakes, God will not cover them up for you; but He will also not condemn you. His Word will guide you to make the necessary changes.

If you have hidden sins in your life, God will reveal those sins so that you may confront them, repent and find renewal. His Word does not sugarcoat sins.

If you are trying your best to love others but keep getting disappointed and hurt, God will show you the things that matter to you that you are afraid to let others know. His Word will teach you to have greater honesty and courage in your relationships. 

Recognize that God’s Word does not tell us to say and do only nice things but what is necessary “to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.” (1Thessalonians 5:14 NLT). 

Jesus Himself demonstrated this teaching. After His resurrection, two disciples were leaving Jerusalem, puzzled over the crucifixion of the One they had hoped to redeem Israel and what they had heard about His missing body (Luke 24:13-24). Jesus came up to them while they were deep in conversation; but again, God kept them from recognizing His true identity (Luke 24:15-16). 

Without hesitation, the Lord pointed out how slow they were to comprehend all the prophecies about Him, and gave them a quick rundown of the prophecies from Moses onwards. Listening, the two disciples felt a strong affinity to this stranger (Luke 24:25-27). Everything He told them resonated within them, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ But as soon as their eyes were opened and they recognized the Lord, He disappeared from their sight. (Luke 23:31 NLT). 

Today, do you recognize the authority, voice and Words of Jesus operating in your life? Let Him resurrect your spiritual senses and restore spiritual fitness for a fulfilling born-again life with Christ!

This is a summary and reflection based on a virtual BIR Session held on 30 March 2024.