CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST
March 23, 2008
25424 Aldine-Westfield, Spring, TX. 77373
www.geocities.com/adon77373/cypresswoodbulletin.htm
www.cypresswoodhchurchofchrist.com
PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Our congregation The spread of the good news
Our nation, leaders and military Various relatives, friends and co-workers
SUNDAY’S COME!
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Today, the Christian world celebrates Easter, the resurrection of Jesus. However this is figured out; since it changes each year; this day is recognized as the end of the calendar section that began with Lent. For those of us who are not of that tradition, Easter is a day of egg hunts and bunnies. Some will even suggest religious elements to them. Where did the idea of Easter come from? I think that since it was based on the Passover, the theme developed out of that. In fact, the King James Version of the Bible translated Passover as Easter in Acts 12 (1). But traditions develop and settle over long periods of time. This doesn’t take away from the importance of the day (2).
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian belief, because all that was accomplished on the cross would not be recognized without it. That has lead over the years to both attacks and defenses of the both Friday and Sunday (3). Numerous books and articles have been written in this debate. One of the leading figures of today is N.T. Wright, Anglican Bishop of Durham (4). He has pointed out that the resurrection is a unique event in history and offers hope for believers. Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 15 that without the resurrection of Jesus, there is no forgiveness, no hope, and no eternity. There are many approaches to the defense of the resurrection (5). We can look at the historical evidences, the witness of scripture and the witnesses that saw the resurrected Messiah. There are other approaches that many have written about to show the fact and truth of the resurrection.
Our concern though is with its meaning both for the present and the future. A number of scholars are now looking at the events of the last week of Christ through the ideas of exodus and exile. We will focus on exodus in this article. When we look at the death of Christ, it occurred at a very special time, no doubt in God’s plan. It was a special Passover falling on the Sabbath. There is so much to connect this with the events of the Exodus in Moses’ day. The resurrection is seen as the morning after the death of the firstborn of Egypt. With the resurrection of Jesus a new exodus begins; the journey from bondage to the promised land. The journey will be long and at times difficult, but when we think of the end, it will be worth every step.
Looking briefly at the end, with the Garden of Eden in view, we will be in the presence of God in the new heavens and earth. Paul speaks of the redemption of creation to its intended state (6). Heaven isn’t up there somewhere in fluffy clouds. Actually, when we understand some of the metaphors of scripture, we are in reality meeting God to bring Him in as a conquering hero (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). We share in this hope as we walk in the wilderness of life. Wilderness is often thought of as being a barren and dry place, filled with harshness and loneliness. But throughout scripture we see a different picture. We see God providing in the wilderness water and food, clothes and sandals that do not wear out, and the dry land turns into an oasis (7).
That’s the future but what about the present? The death of Jesus was considered scandalous to many. The events surrounding His trial certainly showed bias, political, and traditional motives to rid the nation of Him. The law honoring Romans caving to this to keep the peace did not help. For the Jews, anyone hung on a tree was cursed and for the Gentile world, it was foolish; gods did not die at the hands of humans, nor did they claim to love humans. But that was the message that was preached throughout the Roman world of the first century; and people listened. Lives were changed and so were attitudes.
Sin was and is a problem that continues today. Paul makes a defense of living in Christ by comparing our baptism with Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. In Romans 6, Paul states that we died with Christ and were raised with Him in baptism. Since we cannot die literally to be raised, using baptism as a metaphor, we died to sin and are raised to a new life in Christ. Sin no longer masters us for Jesus is now our Master (vs. 14). We have been freed from sin to live in Him.
The Romans thought that the more they sinned the more grace they would receive. Paul states that this is not the way it is. Rather, we have died to sin and are raised to a new life in Christ. Going back to the theme of the exodus, Israel left Egypt to become a nation under God and a light to the world. So are we, a people under the rule or kingdom of God, lights to the world. We are also identifying ourselves with Jesus and His life. We no longer look at the world through human eyes but through the eyes of Jesus. We are to love our enemies and neighbors, to be forgiving as He has forgiven us, to have a humble spirit in the presence of others. It is a challenging life and the resurrection challenges us to lead such a life.
Paul states that since we have been raised with Christ, we are to set our hearts and minds on the things above (Colossians 3:1-2). Where is our focus? That too is the challenge of the resurrection because it is so rich in meanings. Does Paul have Eden in mind when he writes this? Looking forward is key in the Christian life. We live both in the now and the not yet. We are going forward in Christ.
The resurrection is the key teaching of scripture. It is the basis of our hope for the future, and the way we live today. Even though today is set aside as a special day in the Christian calendar, every Sunday is a new beginning, a new start to a new life as we walk forward. The Lord’s Supper is more than a memorial, it is a celebration of this new hope and new life. Our joy is found in the resurrected Christ. God completed His work in Christ, the forgiveness of sins and a redemptive fellowship, and the resurrection is the declaration of this and many other things.
George B. Mearns
(1) Today, many realize that this was not a good idea, but because of the influence of King James, the traditions of the church calendar year were maintained.
(2) We in churches of Christ consider every Sunday a time of reflection and/or celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
(3) The idea comes from the old Negro preacher who said, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin.”
(4) His books dealing with the resurrection include his massive The Resurrection of the Son of God, Surprised by Hope, and Christians at the Cross.
(5) See books by Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel. Jim McGuiggan has an older work on Christian evidences that if found is worth reading.
(6) See Wright above and McGuiggan on Romans; Hicks and Valentine in Kingdom Come.
(7) Take another look at the Exodus and read some of the Psalms and prophets that speak to these ideas.