Church Directory

This past week, much of the news in our various media sources centered around the Russian - Ukrainian War, a terrible war of unwarranted bloodshed. And that then led, within our church walls, questions concerning  our countries loyalties in that unconscionable war. 

But along with the uncertainties and questions concerning the European conflict, there were also numerous other anxieties addressed concerning the decisions offered by our Washington D.C. leadership. It was with these numerous questions and follow up discussions held by our congregation members that I was moved to ask, ‘where should our Christian understanding take us’ when considering these very pertinent topics of our day.

As I reflected back on all that was discussed, the single issue that kept pushing my thoughts centered on questions about what God wants for us in this ever changing, challenging world.  And in my search, I found solace in an article written by Rev. Dr. Gene McAfee.

Rev. Dr. McAfee wrote:

“We claim to value life in our country, but we don’t have much time for resurrection. The religious leaders and theologians and the politicians of Jesus’ day didn’t either. The Sadducees refused to believe in a resurrection at all.  And when others saw what happened before their very eyes, as in the case of Lazarus, they conspired to kill Him, and put Him right back in the tomb where he belonged.  

The disciples wanted no part of a resurrection. They scattered like chaff in the wind before  Jesus died, and had no idea that Jesus might reappear.  Thomas could scarcely bring himself to believe in the resurrection even after the fact.

Were the technology available, it’s safe to bet that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea  would not have permitted a resurrection to take place either, but would have instead brought Jesus down off the cross as soon as possible, stuck a few IV’s in His veins, hydrated  Him with saline solution and put Him on life support until all options could be considered.  

And given the fact that they had no clue what Jesus was talking about when He occasionally alluded His approaching death, they certainly would not have considered Old Testament prophecies, or any number of messianic texts, Psalm  22, for example, to be a sort of emergency directive or Living Will.

Even as we gather during Lent and prepare for Easter, we’re ambivalent about the resurrection.  

Most of us would agree that we live as though Jesus were still in the tomb – where, we might add – He belongs.  A resurrected Jesus can be a nuisance sometimes, inconvenient and demanding.”

What Rev. Dr. McAfee did for me, was give me permission to look beyond the issues of our day, that are so often surrounded by missteps and with tragedy, and look toward the faith and life issues of the resurrection.  For as a follower of Christ, the resurrection is where his promises point.  That is where our questions and concerns in our world today should eventually lead.