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March 27, 2005
Easter Sunday
He is risen!
What does this mean to you? When we were asked this at church a few weeks ago, most people - including me - replied very personally - it means I am forgiven, I can know him, I don't need to fear death etc
Wonderful stuff. But it's not only about us. As I sat in church on Good Friday, celebrating Christ's death for me, I was suddenly overwhelmed with heartache for the Fulani - for the 99.97% of Fulani who don't know what it means to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection, who are still looking for freedom and forgiveness and hope.
If his resurrection declares God's acceptance of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and proclaims him both Lord and Christ (Ac 2:36), if it declares the arrival of the kingdom of God, and the start of the new creation, and the forgiveness of sins, it does it for the whole world. It announces that Jesus is Lord of all nations, not just of Israel, and that God is wanting now to pour out his grace and blessing and justice to all nations. The resurrection means mission.
That is why, following his resurrection and before his ascension, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts all record Jesus sending his disciples into the world. The consequence of the resurrection is a comissioning to the world.
The resurrection is a glorious cause for celebration. But it is also a sending to the world - to take the forgiveness and freedom and justice of God's kingdom to all nations.
Posted by Keith at March 27, 2005 09:10 AM
