Theologian Leslie Newbigen was once asked whether he was an optimist or a pessimist. His answer was “I am neither an optimist or a pessimist. Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.”
Jesus speaks resurrection into our world. He is still calling us to new life, a new way, a new reality. One that leaves room for evidence as well as mystery, but overturns our assumptions about both. Jesus’ sacrifice means death to our old lives, but that’s good news. His resurrection means our resurrection. It means everything is different now.
We need to acknowledge our need for resurrection. Not the hope that we found when we finally discovered we were worth something, but the hope that comes with the realization that we’re worth nothing and that Christ can make us worthy. That what was dead can rise again.
We can’t promise if the world will be better or worse tomorrow, we can’t say whether someone will get sick or well or be rich or poor. Those are the false promises of TV evangelists and tarot card readers. What we can do is share new life, show the way, and declare the truth: Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.
1 comment:
thanks for the information. I will look up the website. I do not know Joe personally I found his blog through other blogs but have appreciated his honesty thoughout his writings.
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