Weekday Devotionals

Now, I don't know about you, but I've always been fascinated by stories of radical transformation. There's something deeply captivating about witnessing someone emerge from the depths of despair to embrace a life of purpose and meaning. And when it comes to life-changing experiences, nothing quite compares to the resurrection of Jesus.
 
Think about it for a moment. The disciples, seemingly disillusioned and defeated, were transformed into bold proclaimers of the Gospel. Their encounter with the risen Jesus changed everything. Suddenly, they were willing to risk it all, to go to the ends of the earth, to share the message of hope and salvation with anyone who would listen.
 
But it's not just the disciples who experienced this transformation. Throughout the pages of Scripture, we see countless examples of lives forever changed by encountering Jesus. Take Saul of Tarsus, for instance. A zealous persecutor of Christians, his life was turned upside down when he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. In an instant, his heart was transformed, and he became one of the greatest champions of the faith, spreading the message of grace and redemption far and wide. He became Paul.
 
And let's not forget about Mary Magdalene, whose life was marked by torment, until she met Jesus and was freed from brokenness and shame, only to watch him hang dying on a cross. But then she encountered the risen Jesus outside the empty tomb, and in that moment, everything changed. Her tears of sorrow turned to tears of joy as she experienced the transformative power of resurrected love.
 
So, what does all of this mean for us? It means that the resurrection isn't just a historical event to be commemorated once a year. It's a living reality that continues to shape and transform lives today. Just as Jesus' resurrection brought new life to the disciples and countless others, so too can it bring new life to us.
 
But here's the thing: experiencing this transformation requires more than just a casual belief in the resurrection. It requires a personal encounter with the risen Jesus, a willingness to surrender our old ways and embrace the new life that He offers. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
 
So, as we journey through life, let's not settle for mediocrity or complacency. Let's open our hearts to the transformative power of the resurrected Jesus and allow Him to bring about the change that we so desperately need. Romans 6:4 reminds us, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

-Sam