Friday, April 18, 2014

Looking Past Easter

Another Easter is upon us.

With it comes so many wonderful experiences.  Time with family.  Colorful fashion.  Picnics.  And, of course, the traditional egg hunt. 

For Christians it is a “calendar” day that marks the greatest event that has ever happened in human history.  Every other thing Jesus said and did including his death swings on the hinge of the resurrection event.  Why?  Because the truth of his resurrection validates all the other things.  Without the resurrection the other matters simply evaporate as good intentions. 

Scripture reminds us at several turns that remembering the resurrection is much more than a scheduled trip through scripture’s museum on a special day each spring.  It is an atmosphere we live and breathe every day.  His bodily resurrection is more than a romantic idea – a feel good for anybody who wants to acknowledge it as historical event.  It is “the” historical marker.  It is the precursor to the new age and, the declaration that the “end of the ages” is upon.  It completely alters any conversation about what it means to be human and to live in wisdom.   It sets before us God’s intentions for not only human beings but creation in general.   Jesus' resurrection represents a lot of things.  Here's a few to think about this Easter.


It is a powerful declaration of his Lordship.  He is the firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:15-17).  He is the first fruits of those who sleep (1 Corinthians 15:20-21).  After his ascension into heaven space, he took his seat at the right hand of power.  He is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15-16).  The resurrection elevates his word above all other “words.”  Paul said this is the One whom God has appointed to be the judge of the living and the dead (John 5:25-28; Acts 17:30-31). 

His resurrection offers immortality to those who believe on Him and accept his reign.  Immortality is commonly thought of as a human right.  The common assumption is that we are “born as immortals.”   Genesis 3 reminds us that man was created dependent on God for life.  The first humans ate from the tree of life.  Their sin and expulsion from the garden brought death…literally.  Jesus changes that!  Romans 8:10-11 says, “But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”  Jesus brought “life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:25-29).  Immortality is a blessing given to those who have been born of the water and the spirit (John 3:3-5).  Jesus’ resurrection makes the singular defining statement about immortality.  It is available through Jesus, the firstborn from among the dead ones (Ephesians 1:19-21). 

His resurrection declares that a new age has begun.  When Jesus came forth from the tomb, he took the powers of evil captive (Colossians 2:13-15).  He said before his death that the ruler of this world would be thrown out (John 12:31).  He came that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).  They have been put on notice.  God is putting the world to rights through the ministry of the Son of God – his death and resurrection.  A new and better world is coming.  And it will not be one of harps, clouds and spirits floating around in eternal singing sessions.  Peter says we are anticipating “a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).  Jesus, the gospel, and his kingdom are the greatest adventure we can ever know! 

Easter is about a lot more than family traditions, egg hunts and a traditional church service.  A lot more. At the very least it is a reminder of what the Father began through His Son nearly 2000 years ago.  It continues to reach out to us every day as the leading headline in a broken world.  Jesus is Lord – immortality is possible – a new age pregnant with new adventures in new world is coming!   If we move it beyond the grip of domesticated thinking and romantic ideas it can awaken Christian communities to their calling to be signposts pointing people back to this most significant of human events and, of course, forward to the magnificent experience that is hope in Jesus Christ.   He was changed early one Sunday morning.  Everyone who has made him Lord of their life will be changed one day, too (Colossians 2:12; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. – Colossians 3:1-4

Father, this world can be so overwhelming.  We think in terms of what is right in front of us.  Time becomes something we treat as our own possession.  We plan our lives – even our death.  Sometimes we don’t think beyond the experiences and arrogance of this broken age.  Thank you for reminding us through the resurrection of Jesus that life has changed.  We can live in hope of eternal life because Jesus is the resurrection and the life.  May we live in the triumph of that conviction.  May we live out the power of the resurrection every day as those who have been raised from the dead now anticipating that day when we will be raised completely by the One who has gone on before us.  Amen.

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas 

No comments:

Post a Comment