What separates us from the animals? The evolutionist will probably say nothing, but deep within I suspect that most people feel themselves to be superior to the animals. But why are we superior? Is it because we are smarter, stronger or more lovable?
There are many animals, that in their sphere of living, show great intelligence and I don’t think there are any humans that could claim to be stronger than an angry elephant. Some might say that it is the ability of free will that makes us different, but I had a cat some years ago and I quickly learned that cats have free will. But what is it then that makes the human race to superior to the animals? After all we are not living on a planet controlled by apes (but the film was good). 
This morning I was reading about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Reading this passage there is a sentence that always catches my eye and it is the angels question to the women that came to the grave. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but risen!” (Luke 24:5-6) What a powerful proclamation; “He is not here, but risen!”. I can imagine how the words made the alarm bells in the kingdom of darkness to start ringing. What confusion this must have brought to the devil and his demons. When they finally though they had killed the son of God, He burst out of the grave showing Himself as unbeatable – even death could not hold Him. Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15) Not only did He triumph over the evil powers that tried to kill Him, but in the process he broke the power grip the devil had the human race in. Every human has sinned and has a rightful judgment awaiting them; and the devil was looking so much forward to dragging the creation God had made in His image, with him to hell. But suddenly the devil finds the cross empty. Jesus was gone and instead he sees a note nailed to the cross with the ordinances that was against us. My window is open as I’m writing this, and I now hear church bells starting to ring. What a power reminder! The enemy has been defeated; death could’t hold Him down. Don’t seek Jesus among the dead; He is risen, and in one blow He nailed all the devils accusations against you to the cross. The enemy has been defeated and now death can’t hold YOU down! But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. |