The Gospel readings during the Eastertide are filled with the risen Christ bringing renewal. It begins on Easter morning when women heavily laden with grief come to the tomb out of devotion and love and leave awestruck at the possibility that the once-dead Jesus is now alive. It continues when Jesus meets Cleopas and another follower on the road to Emmaus. These two seem to be trudging away from Jerusalem with hopes dashed, only to run back to the city excitedly after Jesus’ identity was revealed to them in the “breaking of the bread.” There is “doubting” Thomas, whose skepticism about Jesus’ resurrection is transformed in his encounter with the risen Christ, so much so that he offers one of the strongest statements about Jesus’ identity (My Lord and my God). Of course, we cannot forget the restoration of Peter in John 21 when Jesus asks him three times, “do you love me.” His three affirmations to this question appear to counter his three denials. In the end, Jesus entrusts the feeding of his followers to him.
In all these stories, Jesus comes to individuals and groups and offers them a new perspective, opportunity, and orientation. In each case, there is a rejuvenation of faith and rekindling of imagination. This is the larger truth of Easter. As Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection of Jesus has eternal implications. It brings the promise of resurrection and everlasting life to mortal humans. While this is the overarching precept of the resurrection, its truth permeates all of life, not just at the time of death. God is constantly creating new futures and revitalizing situations. While we all will experience THE resurrection in death, we also can experience resurrections throughout our daily living.
While gospel truths may not change, how we hear and apply them does. God has a way of speaking God’s word into our lives in the specificity of our situation. God’s work is incarnational; it always comes to us through our experiences. I am writing this article after the announcement of my new appointment at First UMC in Wilson, NC. Claire Clyburn has been announced as the new Corridor DS. Even now, the Cabinet continues to work on other appointments, recognizing that at the end of June, pastors will be moving to new churches, and churches will be welcoming new pastors.
With a change of appointment, there is always grief. There is the loss of familiarity, possibilities that will not be explored, or relationships that will never be the same. There is sorrow for opportunities missed, things that could have been done better, or connections that were not fully restored. God’s redemptive grace and resurrection principle enables us to embrace the future with hope. Different situations enable us to exercise different gifts. New places offer new opportunities. All of this is surrounded by God’s Spirit, who works for good in the world and our lives. I lament leaving the Corridor District, but I celebrate the gifts that Claire brings to the churches and pastors of the Corridor District. I have found meaning in my work as a district superintendent, but I look forward to being in a local church again.
This is my situation, but God’s resurrection principle is still valid for your context. God is always at work, creatively bringing newness to your life and experiences. God is always offering us pathways to renewal and restoration. For relationships that have soured, there is still hope for reconciliation. For those facing sickness, God offers healing – if not in this life, then the next. For those facing dead ends, God is at work, providing a new beginning. For those who are drowning in guilt, God offers forgiveness.
I pray that wherever you are and whatever you are experiencing, you will know the power of the resurrection in your life.
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