New Life: In the world but not of the world
“And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2Cor 5:15-17)
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed; Hallelujah!
We have just celebrated the feast of the victory of Jesus Christ over the grave. Christians actually celebrate this every Sunday, but Easter Day is special as a feast to remember the very events around the revolution that the Feast of Passover experienced when it was surrounded by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We had a whole week to remember: Remember how He entered Jerusalem amidst shouts of ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord’ – being received as King; remember his cursing of the fig tree and lessons about faith; remember his cleansing of the temple and powerful teachings; remember the woman that anointed him with very expensive perfume on Holy Tuesday evening; remember the emotional last supper; remember the prayer night in Gethsemane; then the arrest, trial and crucifixion! And finally, the burial – remember!
It was a journey from bright glory to darkest gloom; the disciples were all disappointed and discouraged; their hopes dashed to the ground. Paul and many other preachers later interpret the Scriptures, and give meaning to this mishap: “he died for all, … for their sake died”. It was a death that brought new life to many people. It was like renewal, regeneration, revival, renaissance, or rejuvenation – but in a much greater sense. These words describe processes for which we have numerous examples here on earth: A grain of maize falls to the earth and dies, and much more maize comes out only four months later. Similarly, I just wonder if the male bees know that they will die after mating with the queen? In the case of this suicidal mating, he is sacrificing himself for a new generation.
When you know that Jesus died that you may live, you will not take life for granted. He prayed earnestly for your protection in this world to which you do not belong: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one (John 17:14-15). You have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ; your life now is not your own; you belong to the one who paid your dangerous debt with his own life. You are a new creation – imperishable in Jesus’ Name. The journey ended in brightest hope: Remember and rejoice that Jesus Christ rose from the dead to seal his purchase with living hope and a promise for an eternal home.
God bless you all.