Easter-tide

The uncompromising leap of faith for me is the resurrection. Nothing else in my knowledge about, experience of, and relationship with God has real significance without Easter. I deeply appreciate the role of the sacrificial cross. I seek to emulate the ministry practices of Jesus. The historical and personal interaction of God with the people of Israel is a key framework for the holy story. The emergence of a new body of Christ, the church, is inspiring and hopeful. But none of it means anything to me without resurrection.

For me, the element of faith that makes the primary difference in life and ministry is this audacious victory over death. While admirable, giving oneself up for the good of others is not wholly unique. Recently we witnessed a ship's captain, Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, give himself up to Somalian pirates to save his crew and cargo. In the tradition of the Brethren of which I'm a part, we look to Ted Studebaker as a person who put his own life on the line to provide ministry to those in Vietnam during war time. I imagine there are hundreds if not thousands of stories where selfless people have been killed or severely wounded while looking out for the best interests of others. Such behavior is exceptional, admirable, and even amazing. But it is readily believable because we see it repeated throughout history.

What we do not see repeated throughout history is the resurrection. There is only one decisive victory over death that stands for all of humanity. It is the declaration, "He is not here, but has risen" (Luke 24:5) that signals the once-for-all, mind-blowing defeat of death. More than just living out the improbable, God's insistence on life overcomes the impossible. In this moment we know definitively that for God nothing is impossible.

Realizing that death never claims the victory gives me the courage and perspective to go on in ministry and mission. In seasons of difficulty, resurrection reality provides a backdrop which keeps things in right relationship with God, with the world, with the church, with me. When leadership results in persecution or struggle, Easter life supercedes the actions and the reactions, empowering the freedom to make difficult decisions.

I am grateful for this Eastertide that washes through our church and through my life. To God be the glory. He is not here. He has risen.