Faith that Compels

Yesterday I reflected on the resurrection and life beyond life. I do have to acknowledge that there can be a legitimate critique of Christianity in that regard. And that is that we might reduce our faith to simply getting into heaven when we die – like it’s a magic ticket to someplace else. 

The truth is the whole gospel is not just about our souls going to another world – while this world suffers greatly. I’ve heard this called “Evacuation Theology.” You know the bumper sticker: “In case of Rapture, this car will be unmanned!” Meaning: my religion could kill you!  

In contrast, for the first Christians, the resurrection meant there was hope for this world. They believed that this good news carried with it an invitation to a whole new way of life. 

In fact, we read about how they lived with a whole new outlook – sharing their possessions, caring for the poor, welcoming the stranger. For them, Easter was the radical claim that in the resurrection of Jesus, darkness, disappointment, suffering and despair and injustice and even death will not have the last word. So they began to live exactly that way. 

Yesterday I shared reflections from my friend Herb Meza. I’ve often thought back on my friend Herb, and on how he embraced life. He seemed so fearless when it came to putting his faith in action – especially in standing up for civil rights in the south at a time in history when it was dangerous to do so. I have to believe he was able to do this, at least in part because he knew was a part of something much bigger. He knew his life had significance beyond what we can see… And so not only in death but also in life, he lived with this resurrection hope…

I saw this also in Patricia Robertson, a member of my church, who died earlier this year. She was extremely generous – serving in food pantries and soup kitchens; for years she was involved in helping refugees resettle in the Atlanta area. As we talked near the end, she told me that she was ready to go, that she was not afraid… She firmly believed that death would not have the last word. I don’t think the two are unrelated. She knew she was a part of something bigger. She had a resurrection hope.

I don’t have any idea what heaven is like. I don’t know whether there will be surfing, or whether I will get an audience with Jesus to ask my most pressing theological questions. I don’t know if any of that will even matter to me. But I do trust that the love I have given, and the love I have been given… the love I have experienced here on earth, I will also experience there. I do trust that the same Power that raised Jesus from the dead – is still at work in you and in the church and in the world.

Let us pray: Eternal God, Grant us this day an Easter faith. We trust that you are the God who brings light out of darkness, hope out of despair, and even life out of death. Amen.