” Easter people in a Good Friday World.” I was intrigued and curious when I heard her say it. Our speaker that morning was a very bright and devoted follower of Jesus named Kristi McClelland. What did she mean by this arresting introductory statement to her powerful message?
My primary takeaway from Kristi’s message is that followers of Jesus serve a Risen Lord. Good Friday is important, but if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, God’s plan has failed, and we would still be in our sins.
We are to be Easter people in a world where many accept the reality of the crucifixion of Jesus but do not know the power of the Risen Lord. Easter people are different because we know Him who has been crucified and raised from the dead.
Living as Easter People in a Good Friday World is what the life of faith is all about. As believers, we are to live out the meaning of the resurrection in our everyday lives as we partner with God in his redemptive work. Our prayers become a subversive activity as we stand against evil and offer to become involved in the answer to our prayers.
Easter is only three days away, and I want to address the vital connection between the resurrection and our faith in Jesus. Just what does the resurrection have to do with my faith?
I believe myself to be an “Easter person,” and I suspect you would say you believe in the truth of the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus. Right? How then does our faith relate to, connect to, the resurrection of Jesus?
If Jesus is not risen, our faith is in a dead teacher. The validity of the Christian gospel rests on whether or not the resurrection is true.
The resurrection is THE CENTRAL FACT, the linchpin that secures our hope for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. In other words, your trust in God to save you from the power of sin and death is worthless if the resurrection did not happen.
Paul says as much in 1 Corinthians 15:14,” If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” But he affirms his faith, “ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep (dead)” 1 Corinthians 15:20. Paul and the early followers of Jesus gave up whatever was necessary and risked their lives on the premise that Jesus rose from the dead, pretty radical stuff if the resurrection didn’t happen.
What does this mean for you and me? First, saving faith is faith in a person, Jesus Christ, and not simply an idea about immortality. The validity or security of our faith always rests upon the trustworthiness of the “object” of our faith.
Is Jesus who He claims He is? Is He the Christ, the Messiah? Does he forgive sin and give us a “new birth” when we accept Him as our Savior? Does He give us eternal life, and will He resurrect us as He says he will?
Paul makes an interesting and important statement about what the resurrection says about Jesus’ identity in Romans 1:4: “ Who was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ our Lord.” If Jesus is alive, all his teachings and promises are dependable.
My book, Heaven’s Currency, can help you understand and apply what it means to be an “Easter person in a Good Friday world.” If you haven’t already done so, I urge you to get a copy here https://www.cosdavis.com/product/heavens-currency-investing-in-the-things-that-matter-most/ or at Amazon and learn the benefits of living in a way that will give you a great return on your investment in Christ’s kingdom. You will be glad you spent the time and money on this book.
I trust in Jesus Christ. I attempt to live obediently to Him and His teachings because He has forgiven me and given me a new life, a new birth. My experience coincides with the teachings of Scripture that He is living in me and that He is coming back for me and all who put their trust in Him. Should I die before He returns, He will resurrect me in a new body to live with Him and serve Him forever in heaven.
Until then, I will attempt to serve Him faithfully and encourage as many as I can to trust Jesus and live as “Easter People” in our broken world.
May you experience the assurance and peace of our Risen Lord as you serve as an “Easter Person” in a world that desperately needs Him.
I recommend that you look at Kristi’s books and teachings at https://www.newlensbiblicalstudies.com/