Dear Caldwell,
In these days after Easter, we walk, in a sense, with the disciples in a world trying to make sense of the meaning of an empty tomb and a claim that Christ is Risen. On the beach, on the road to Emmaus and, as Abong Fankam preached Sunday, behind locked doors, the disciples encountered the Risen Christ. These 50 days of Eastertide prompt us to keep our own eyes sharp and our own minds active – just in case we see glimpses of that Risen Christ around us.
The Risen Christ in an “illegal” church? Earlier this week, in the city of Wenzhou, nicknamed the “Jerusalem of the East” for its large Christian population, the government there demolished a massive church, calling it “illegal.” Building inspectors said the building was out of code. Only last month, however, local government officials had lauded it as a model engeneering project. We know, of course, that China is officially athiest. But the church in China is growing and some see the communist government increasing its persecution of Christianity. Two thousand years after the disciples were hiding out from Roman persecution because how how the “Jesus Way” threatened its power, the Risen Christ is still advancing the gospel, even in hostile territory.
The Risen Christ in the NBA? Christ never attempted a three pointer or even a lay-up, but he won one this week in the National Basketball Association. Count me among the many who applaud the new NBA Commissioners for his swift and certain act of justice against the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, who got caught on tape spewing ignorance and racial bigotry. Perhaps it is just wishful thinking, but I sense a new degree of unity and healing in America over this issue and how it was handled. We needed that. We’ll take it, in the name of Christ.
These examples, and the many I am sure you could add to the list, remind us that we see the world and Christ/the Church facing off almost every day. (Feel free to respond to this blog in the “comment” box below with your own Risen Christ citing.)
All of this relates to this Sunday. Our youth will help us take a look at the Apostle Paul’s guidance on we should not be conformed to the world and its often broken ways. Instead, through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, we can continually renew our minds, hearts and spirits. We are, after all, Easter people.
I hope you find that the kind of welcome news you need this week.
In Christ,
John