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Promises can be awesome. Let’s think of two kinds: Those that pertain only to the future and those that pertain to both the future and the present. Of the first, Jim says to his neighbor, “I promise I will give you money to fix the fence.” Of the second, Jim says, “I promise I will give you money to fix the fence and here is $200 for now—count on more coming soon.”
Jim could tell his wife, “I promise I will spend more time at home.” Or Jim can tell his wife, “I promise I will spend more time at home—and I am taking two weeks off starting today to prove it.”
Life is not good without good promises. We need something to look forward to. But even more—we need something right now—we need an immediate spoon-full of the promised feast. Jesus resurrected so you can have both. Here are a few ways of thinking about it:
Jesus’ resurrection gives you the end in sight. By resurrecting from the dead, Jesus disclosed the final judgment in the present time. N. T. Wright often says this. In other words, God points his finger and names what is evil through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
What is evil? When people point back in highhanded defiance and call good what God calls evil and vice versa. What else is evil? Death—the waves of human defiance crest into death. Death was never meant to be a normal thing.
According to Jesus’ resurrection, death does not have the final word. Humanity’s mess-ups do not capsize God’s plans. God will have a world one day where there is no evil, corruption, pain, or death. God will have a world where humans have new bodies and will live forever.
Jesus’ resurrection gives you hope for the end and clarity on what is happening right now. The resurrection is not like fantasizing about a $10,000,000 mansion and then awaking to reality only to realize you could never afford such a thing. Most likely, you will never connect to that mansion.
When Jesus resurrected, he was giving people a “picture” of a mansion and giving them the key to it. God, the new earth, and a new body—all are available. Jesus is the door to all.
Not only is Jesus going to make all things new, he is making all things new. Not only are you promised the mansion in the future, you can go ahead and enjoy the pool right now.
What will be the fresh and overwhelming difference in the new earth? God’s presence and love—both of which you can have now. And not only this, you can join God’s project of new creation—and be as you were meant to be.
Jesus’ resurrection power can give you the power you need to live during the present time before the new earth. Jesus doesn’t promise a mansion and then withhold the key from you. What is the key? His presence. What is the experience? God’s overwhelming love for us—Paul says we need hulk-like strength to comprehend it. What is the effect? Our love for others. Believe it or not, seeking to fill the joy-tank of others is the easiest way to fill your own.
Enjoy the love. Enjoy the joy. Experience the good life.
Thanks for Reading,
Aaron