In our small group meeting this week we looked at John 11. In John 11 there is a very famous "I am" saying. There are lots of "I am" sayings of Jesus but this one sort of takes our thoughts to another level. Jesus says in John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life."
Resurrection is one of those words that I think sometimes we become numb to in the church. We pastors talk lots about the resurrection. Our church calendar year seems to culminate towards a Sunday usually in March or April where all we talk about is resurrection. We sing about it. We preach about it. We teach about it. We read about it.
But if one of your friends who does not follow Jesus asked you why the church needs resurrection, what would you tell them? How about this, what if your friend asked you why resurrection matters TO YOU?
I started thinking about this and some thoughts started to flow onto the page. I'd like to share now why I need resurrection and then allow you in the comments section to do the same…
Why I need resurrection…
because I have family members, friends of family members, friends, friends of friends who are dying or have died of cancer…
because I have a mother who woke up one day and lost her hearing in one ear for no apparent reason…
because there are whole families in Haiti living in dwellings most of us wouldn't put our pets in…
because I get angry at my kids when I seem to be the problem…
because there is a family in Bethlehem where only half of its members are free people, the other half are held prisoners in their own country…
because some get sick and don't ever get well in this life…
because some are ruled by addictions and can't get out…
because people are dying of hunger everyday and most of us don't seem to be bothered to much by it…
because young women are being trafficked and sold as slaves to feed an individual sex addiction…
because children are being abused…
because racism exists…
because the worlds economic structure doesn't mean well being for all people…
because wars are breaking out over "who" owns "what" land…
because marriages and friendships can end in bitter separation…
because we have often been destructive towards the earth we have been given…
because someone will scream "hatred" at you when you accidentally cut them off while driving…
because tsunamis, earthquakes, and hurricanes can kill thousands in minutes…
because there are children forced to carry guns and fight wars not their own…
because there is death over material commodities...
because there is hatred present at a 12 year old's hockey game…
because churches have split up over menial issues…
because there are famines…
because we use more resource than we need and its running out…
because the short time we have on earth is so uncertain it seems…
I need resurrection because it means that all these things do not have the last say. Resurrection means that death does not rule. Hatred will not have the final word. Selfishness will be overpowered. Inequality will not last forever. Fear will not win. Anger will be snuffed out. Weights will be lifted off tired shoulders. Darkness will be engulfed by light. Hunger and thirst will be quenched by a great banquet. The blind will see. The lame will walk. The deaf will hear. The captive will be set free. Tears will be wiped away.
I need resurrection because living without it is unbearable. I cannot and will not live without resurrection. I thank God for Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life. To him I will hold on forevermore.
*I encourage you to think about this question "Why I need resurrection" and respond in comments section… Blessings.
