Resurrection Party!

I've been thinking about the idea of resurrection, specifically Christ's and how it's observed and celebrated in our culture. Our approach to it all seems kind of lackluster at best. I take note of the Eastern Orthodox tradition, and thus many evangelical traditions in America modeling themselves after the E.O. church. They spend the entire week (known as "Holy Week") celebrating, preparing, acknowledging and observing the resurrection. Yes, they acknowledge Christ's death on the cross, but it's not the point. It seems like far too many churches spend more time thinking about how Christ died while neglecting the far bigger implications that he's risen.

For me, I want to celebrate it. And I mean really celebrate it. I want to have a feast with everybody I know, and maybe even people I don't. Go old school and roast some lamb, gather every body together Big Fat Greek Wedding style and celebrate the fact that Christ lives today and his act dying AND being raised from death is being seen in our midst even today. Creation is being rescued from itself and the fragmented, broken reality that it existed in prior to the resurrection. People, trees, rocks, dirt clods, oceans, skies, small poodles toted in handbags, everything and everyone is being redeemed. Restoration is underway and it's occurring on a cosmic scale.

It's still continuing today though, and it continues because everyone that follows Jesus has an opportunity to take part in the redemption of creation.

Whoa... what?!

Yep. We do.

In my book, living the way of Jesus means an entire paradigm shift in one's worldview (especially for western individuals like myself). Living like Jesus means going against our human nature of thinking inwardly, and living out a life of putting others first, especially those Christ deemed the "least of these".

We have a role to play in the ongoing rescue effort that Christ started when he was resurrected and that involves putting things to rights. Seeking justice and liberation for those that have been violated and oppressed, looking after the orphans and the widows, meeting the needs of the poor, hungry and sick as well as being good stewards of the Earth that the Lord's put us in charge of.

May it become rooted deep in your existence that there's something to be done, that Christianity is not a passive lifestyle that watches the world pass by. May you be compelled to step outside of your comfort zone and into the world of someone else who needs our help. May you desire to harmonize with the restoration of all things being played out all around you. May you see more every day, how to truly live like Jesus.