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
