What does it actually look like—what does it feel like—to live here and now in the light of Christ’s resurrection? What does it mean to live confident that the dead—including me—“will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Cor. 15:52)? What is our resurrection life? And what might it mean for our neighbourhoods, our nation, our churches, our households?
Actually, the resurrection makes a world of difference—in fact, it changes everything. In “Turning the World Upside Down”, Professor Murray Rae unpacks the way in which Christ’s resurrection transforms the lives of his followers, from the first days of the Jesus movement, into our present moment. Whether you’re unconvinced about the resurrection or just wondering how to live now, this clear-eyed and deeply encouraging essay is addressing you. Christ has been raised; and so, as Murray puts it, the challenge to us all is “to get with the programme”.
One of those who in recent years has written with most clarity and care about the resurrection life is Eugene Peterson, best known as the author of The Message translation of the bible. We’re thrilled to be able to republish here an excerpt from Peterson’s book Living the Resurrection. Resurrection life is a practice, writes Peterson—a way of being and working in the world that is grounded in the reality inaugurated in Christ’s risen body. Such a way of being is evident from Helen Green’s life. In this month’s Field Notes interview, she shares from her remarkable walk so far with God, speaking first-hand of her experience of Jesus’s living presence, even in the darkest of places of the globe.
It’s this same mystery Rebecca Packer ponders in her meditation on Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ. Make a cuppa and slow down for this one—let Rebecca’s reflections minister to you. Then come linger in Hannah Donmez’s painting, “Third Day Unveiling”, a remarkable work of layered light. It’s a delight to feature this original work. Finally, join Sam Bloore on his morning commute in his typically thought-provoking piece, “One Giant Leap for Humankind”, where he muses on historical truth, the fearlessness of Jesus’s followers, and our present challenge.
As Eastertide proclaims, with Jesus’s resurrection new life is upon us. Let’s get with the programme, for the sake not just of our own, but for the world: for all whom God delights to give us to.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dr John Dennison,
Editor, Common Ground.
