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A TOMB WITH PLENTY OF ROOM Mark 16: 1-16 There's Good News this Christmas! There is room in the tomb! There was room for Jesus, and there is room in the grave for you! Good News?? A grave is always dark and foreboding—who will dare come to such a place of despair? You who are true Christians know a measure of the death of who you were in order to receive new life in Christ—an awesome place, resulting in true salvation, a completely changed life in repentance, and freedom from sin. Oh, how we glory there in Christ, Who is everything and Who has given us new desires, new vision, new hope! All is changed and new, and we long to remain there, singing songs of deliverance and serving God with much natural enthusiasm and ability. That does cost much, though not everything. But there's more for those who would know the full communion with their risen and reigning Lord Jesus Christ. Who will go further? Those who want more than salvation from Jesus. Those who will be content with nothing less than entering their position in the Bride of Christ! And that means not being dissuaded by the dark, gaping mouth of the grave, and being determined to "Follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth." They are not content to settle for a lesser view of the resurrection life—experiencing a measure of the Cross, skipping the grave, assuming they are risen again to full communion with Christ. NO!—they hear Him calling "follow me", die to everything you hold dear, cease from everything that is self-appointed service to God and enter into and remain in that dark, hidden place until God alone brings you forth in full resurrection life and power. Jesus went this way, and He calls His Bride to the exact same Way, and when we ask "How?", He answers, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by me." The grave is on the Way to the right hand of the Father, and those who will be perfected in Love will submit to His Way. There's much room in the tomb because of what's NOT there. There are no Christian friends to give their support, no dear family, no one to understand. We're alone there, and we're dead! There is no light! Nothing of our own thoughts, plans, and agendas—all must be forsaken to enter. Oh, what room! There's no more of our own understanding, no more meeting our own needs, no more of what we can see, hear, and feel. Only darkness and waiting. No more of our own service to God, no more emotional praise, no more intercession, no more personal fulfillment. Nothing of our life—only darkness and waiting and death. But what IS in the tomb? A rock slab to lay a dead body on. Remember—Jesus Himself is the Rock! Also, there are linen grave clothes and spices. See in these the righteousness of Christ to totally enfold us, and the anointing that is His savor! And there's the perfect peace of "It is finished!" And in this place we wait. In His perfect time He will roll the stone away and call us forth into perfect union with Himself. Yes, everyone wants to come out of the grave, but who will give all to enter in? The cost is everything; the resurrection is glorious! Don't assume you understand—Seek Him and come! Philippians 3:8 ~ Cindy Warren
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