Our Daily Bread -- Three-Word Obituary March 25, 2016

Read: Romans 8:28-39 Bible in a Year: Joshua 19-21; Luke 2:25-52 Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God. —Romans 8:34 Before Stig Kernell died, he told the local funeral home that he didn’t want a traditional obituary. Instead, the Swedish man instructed them to publish only three words noting his passing: “I am dead.” When Mr. Kernell died at age 92, that’s exactly what appeared. The audacity and simplicity of his unusual death notice captured the attention of newspapers around the world. In a strange twist, the international curiosity about the man with the three-word obituary caused more attention to his death than he intended. When Jesus was crucified, the Lord’s obituary could have read, “He is dead.” But after 3 days, it would have been changed to front-page news saying, “He is risen!” Much of the New Testament is devoted to proclaiming and explaining the results of Christ’s resurrection. “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Rom. 8:34-37). The three-word obituary of Jesus, “He is dead,” has been transformed into an eternal anthem of praise to our Savior. He is risen! He is risen indeed! —David McCasland Lord, we rejoice in Your great victory over sin and death through Your resurrection. May we live in light of it every day. Jesus sacrificed His life for ours. INSIGHT: In Romans 5-8, Paul told the Roman Christians what Christ had done to save them and of the benefits they now have. Today’s passage is Paul’s concluding affirmation and celebration of God’s providential care. Quoting from Psalm 44:22 (in Rom. 8:36), Paul makes the point that Christians are not exempt from afflictions, suffering, or death (Rom. 8:35). Even so, we need not fear because “God is for us” (v. 31). Share your thoughts on today’s devotional on Facebook or odb.org.

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Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. Our vision is to see people of all nations experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him, and serving in a local body of His family. To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org. Copyright © 2016, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from Our Daily Bread Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved.   Our Daily Bread Ministries | 3000 Kraft Ave | Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Manage Your Subscription.