Because He lives...
"After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also." John 14:19
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ἀνάστασις = anastasis = Resurrection
We are a resurrected people. The tomb is empty and we look out into the resurrected world. "To stand up again" - that is one of the definitions of the word "resurrection". Sometimes our life as faithful followers of Jesus brings us to our knees or completely knocks us flat. We face unsurmountable conflicts and situations that seem so out of our control. The promise of the resurrection lifts us up so that we once again can stand. At times we stand for and other times we stand against. This is the mission of the resurrection.
This season of Easter we will focus our proclamation toward living out the resurrection promise. Because he lives, we are released from the power of fear and are free to declare the good news of Jesus. Because he lives we are no longer condemned by death. We are no longer burdened by our sin and we cast off shame in order to live a life worthy of the community of Christ. Sin, shame and death are replaced by justice, boldness and peace with a community that stands up for the same. The promise of the resurrection is not only something that assures us of some after life future with God but a more authentic and just life today, here and now. Because he lives, we live more fully.
