Always approach our Christian faith as the challenge it actually is. Unfortunately, too many people try to tame the religion God has given us to become like a fat house cat that we can control. How much better it is to understand that our Christian faith is more like a powerful wind that blows where it wills – and will challenge many structures in its path.
The coming of God in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ is not to make us feel good and secure. Just the opposite. God has become flesh like you and me to bring us to become like God. Simply put, our human flesh is meant to share and become divine!
In the working of God’s plan for the redemption of all humans the sacrificial death of Jesus brought all humanity to God. In his sacrificial death our sins are remitted. We are destined to be united with God.
Now, the resurrection of Jesus is not only a historical event. There was an actual resurrection on a specific night. But this was the giving, the outpouring of the verry life and spirit of the very Son of God. God is given to us!
Easter is all about the revelation/the giving of the life of the God/man, Jesus, to us. Now the resurrection of Jesus must happen in each believer.
It is never good enough to say ‘I believe in God.’ Now, the life and heart of Jesus must burst forth in our lives. We must become the face and the hands of Jesus in this world; in the here and now!
The resurrected Jesus comes alive in our life in our daily prayer. We try to find some time to spend with our God. Prayer does not mean a lot of words, but it is a daily presence to the Holy Spirit. It may be in your appreciation (not in a lot of words) for the creative hand of God in creation. Each flock of wild geese flying north is a sign of the working hands of God in creation. In the resurrected Jesus, we bathe in appreciation and enjoyment at each breath of the created world.
We try to focus on the teachings of Jesus and apply them to our own lives. In a society that is so shrill, filled with name calling and untruths, we try to speak works of truth, encouragement and support to all the people we deal with on a daily basis. The presence of Christ is lived out in our truth-filled words.
Our co-worker who is struggling with her son’s drug addiction and needs a supportive ear. The resurrected Jesus is lived out in our patience and understanding towards her tears and suffering. We may feel that we are not doing much, but we are listening, supportive and walking with her in this terrible ordeal. We understand her fears and her moments of anger.
Easter is always a lived event. The resurrection must happen in each one of us. May you wrestle and struggle with the powerful life and work that the resurrected Jesus has given you. May you become the face and the hands of Jesus!
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