Resurrection of Izanami
"Being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison." (1 Peter 3:18-19)
April 20
Izanagi and Izanami are referred to in the Japanese tradition as being the couple of divine deities who created the islands of Japan. A story in the most ancient Japanese chronicles tells of how after giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi, Izanami dies from the flames and descends into the place of the dead known as Yomi. Though Izanagi desperately attempts to save her by descending into Yomi, he is unable to bring her back. According to many ancient traditional beliefs, the gods desired to bring people back from the dead but were unable to do so. In ancient Greek mythology the story of Orpheus and Eurydice reflects this deep longing to reverse the course of death. Eurydice was killed by a snake bite, and though Orpheus makes a deal with the underworld to save her, he breaks the deal before reaching the surface and she is pulled back into darkness forever. What Izanagi and Orpheus were never able to accomplish within their mythological framework, Jesus Christ has accomplished in reality. The scriptures declare that Christ was put to death and entered into the domain of the dead preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to those who were waiting for Him. He was able to overcome the power of the grave and rose Himself, bringing many of those captive saints alive with Him, “and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many." (Matthew 27:52–53) Deep calls out unto deep within all cultures and in every epoch of history with this longing to see death overthrown and our loved ones brought back from corruption. Jesus spoke these words to the mourners at Lazarus’s grave, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26) The raising of Lazarus, the empty tomb of Christ Himself, the witness of hundreds of raised saints in Jerusalem all testify to the truth of Christ’s proclamation. Christ has overcome the grave and has all authority and power over death itself. The chasm between life and death that we, nor any other deity could ever cross, has been bridged by the cross and resurrection of Jesus. As we await the day of the final consummation, and the resurrection of all saints, may our hearts rest confidently in Him with unwavering hope.
Daily Prayer
Reverser of the inevitable,
longings for eternal life are not a fanciful dream.
Bearers of your image forever hear the echoes of
eternity within them as a memory of our true destiny.
What no other could accomplish you marvelously finished.
Angels and saints are in awe of your power to turn back death
and to bring new life to what was lost in corruption.
You have removed the dreadful fear of death from us forever.
Cause my soul to rest in your finished work and in the
promises you gave to all of those who trust in you.