ACTS 2:22-24, 42-47
In the final chapter of Transforming Mission by David Bosch, the author discusses
the resurrection: “The central theme of our missionary message is that Christ is risen,
and that, secondly and consequently, the church is called to live the resurrection life in
the here and now and to be a sign of contradiction against the forces of death and destruction
— that it is called to unmask modern idols and false absolutes.”
Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed.
But why did He die in the first place?
The subject of the atonement is a heavy one, but one that I’ve been wrestling
with because it is worth wrestling with. Bosch writes, “For many in the early church, Christ
was the new ‘place of expiation’ which replaced the temple. Those who accept him as
Savior have their sins forgiven. This opens to them the way to become members of a
new, saved community, called church, a unique body of those with whom God has a
special relationship” (chapter 13, p. 513). But is there anything really truly “unique”
about the church we see today? This community of believers called the Church—do
these people really have a “special relationship” with God?
Some skeptics would look at those of us in the churches in America today—with
our radical individualism, materialism, individualism, sexism, racism, divorce rate, and
any number of other issues and measurements—and say, “No, these people live just
like everyone else.” And that is a huge challenge we must overcome in order for us to
truly be seen as “a sign and agent and foretaste of the kingdom of God.”
That is the challenge, but it is possible. And that’s the glorious hope we have in the
resurrection of Jesus. All it takes is one life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit
to impact another life and then another life and then another life …
Diana Butler Bass wrote about the Rt. Rev. Daniel Corrigan, the first Episcopal
bishop to ordain women to the priesthood, who, when asked by a parishioner, “Do you
believe in the resurrection?” responded firmly and without hesitation, “Yes. I believe in
the resurrection. I’ve seen it too many times not to.”
Have you seen it lately?
Have you seen the resurrection?
I pray to God that you have—or that you will. I pray for it today in my own life.
Have you seen my Lord?
He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Prayer: Help me, God of constant resurrections, to recognize the resurrections
around and within me, that I might help others recognize them and find both
life and hope.
Amen.
Steve Knight works for the Hope Partnership, connecting Disciples of
Christ with the Emergent Church Movement.