Daily Devotional

We went to an east Indian funeral service in the middle of March. It was a time and a place of little or no hope. People with empty eyes. Some just openly weeping. A service devoid of honor, with cheap plastic elements. No explanations were given in regard to any part of the service that took place. No folders handed out. Not one word shared.

Except after three or four people shared about the deceased, then it was said that, “The priest will now perform the ritual.” The family went up to watch. He and some others in a casual way did some things in the open casket, with some repetitive prayer like speaking. People soon walked by. Some brought some white wrapping cloths used in the casket. The line tossed flower petals in the casket as they went by.

Then they closed the casket and moved it out the back of the room, and some began to move that way. I thought there might be a family receiving line, maybe cars getting ready to go to the cemetery.  No explanation. So finally we moved around that way. All the guests were standing around and peering into a large bay. The casket was opened again, and some things were done. Then two large metal doors moved one up and the other down. We were all peering into what could only be described as a large “blast furnace!” It was blazing like a rocket and making a great roar!

Then the casket was closed again. And while we were all staring and in shock, no explanation given, the casket was rolled on some rollers or the like, and moved in and under the blasting flame. The two doors slowly closed.

Then it was over. No words shared. The people began to slowly disperse. Some like us bewildered and traumatized. We went to our car, and headed home. In much silence. What had we just seen, just experienced? It was worse than I have described to you.

In Ephesians 2, Paul urges us as believers to remember our pre-salvation state.
"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope
and without God in the world." Ephesians 2:11-12, NASB

Therefore remember…remember…

What were we like? What do these verses say? What were we?

• Separate from Christ
• Excluded from Israel
• Strangers to the covenants of promise
• Having no hope, and
• Without God in the world

What we saw that day were such people. I had previously been in this same state, though ignorant of it. It was a great sorrow to behold. We went home devastated. Others expressed similar sentiments. This is the state of mankind in general without Christ. From any nation, of any people, with any kind of racial characteristics or languages. No exceptions.

But Paul does not leave it there! He says these words, “But now in Christ Jesus…” Then he goes on to share what has happened to each of us who have left that “no hope” state, and have entered into union with Jesus by faith. Let me summarize these glorious truths that follow, from Ephesians 2:13-22. It is such a wonder and a joy!

• You formerly far off have been brought near
• By the blood of Christ
• For He Himself is our peace
• He made both groups into one (Gentiles & Jews)
• He broke down the barrier of the dividing wall
• He abolished in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandments
• He made the two into one new man
• Reconciling them both in one body to God through the cross
• He came and preached peace
• Both to those far away, and those near
• Giving them both access in one Spirit to the Father
• We are now no longer strangers and aliens
• But we are fellow citizens with the saints
• We are now of God’s household
• That which has been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets
• Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone
• In whom the whole building is being fitted together
• Growing into a holy temple in the Lord
• In whom we are also being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit

All this is what the people at the funeral did not have! They were without hope, and without God in the world. We need to remember for our own sakes. Have you thought of all this recently? Paul urges us to remember. Then we need to remember for the sake of those, the many from every sector of society and the world, from every tribe and people and tongue, yet to be saved. Yet to be those who inherit the blessings described above. Yet to take their place before God on the throne and the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10).

Let us…REMEMBER!

Let us remember what we were – separate, excluded, strangers, without hope, without God.

Let us also remember that now, in Christ Jesus, we have everything in that big list above.

And let us remember the multitudes around us who are not yet in the household of God, not being fitted together into a holy temple in the Lord, not being built together with us into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

Let us invite them all, everywhere we go! It must be said!

For as it says in Numbers, “It now must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Oh, what God has done!’” Numbers 23:23, NKJV

Read: Ephesians 2
Sing: And Can It Be That I Should Gain, Charles Wesley (Thomas Campbell)