Yesterday Cal shared a message for Easter Sunday. It was about how Jesus’ resurrection changes everything. As I reflected on the meaning of Easter, I was stricken by one very important reality. Jesus’ resurrection really did change everything. All of world history has taken on a new trajectory as a result of Jesus’ teaching, death, and resurrection. Empires and kingdoms have been built and fallen because of Jesus. Academics and everyday people have had their energies redirected because of the Church Jesus established. The establishment of human rights, banishment of slavery, and many Western holidays are the direct result of Jesus’ coming to earth and dying for humanity.
I’m going to keep today’s post down to two points.
Jesus Brings us to new Life as Individuals
Jesus taught that He came to give eternal life. A life without Jesus is a life destined to worship something else. There are usually two top contenders people use to fill the void of life and purpose without Jesus. 1. Family and self. 2. Their nation.
Self-worship is often the primary belief system that people without Jesus pursue. The rallying cry of Thelemite founder Aleister Crowley, “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.” Though not most of our culture does not ardently follow Thelemite Occultism, most do adhere to it’s main law. Many people simply do what they want. There was another time in history when a society “did what was right in their own eyes.” That time was during the period of Judges in Israel. This was a time when a tribe could decide to take over more land than they needed by conquest. It was a time when a priest would be available for personal hire. It was also a time when priests could have a concubine (sex-slavery anyone).
All this reflects a world without Jesus. In ancient Israel, this all happened within 2 or 3 generations of Moses leading the nation. It shows how far a people group can deviate in such a short period of time.
Today, we can see similar patterns happening. The generation known as Generation X has a very distinctive motto that impacts their worldview–“True for you, not for me.” It relativizes truth and morality.
In the end, a powerful encounter with the risen Jesus shows just how futile those philosophies are. Kingdoms aren’t built, nor are people set free from their guilt without forgiveness and diligence. Some may experience some freedom from guilt and some success in life, but ultimate forgiveness and success comes when we are forgiven of our guilt before God. That can only happen through Jesus.
Jesus promises to give us abundant life. That doesn’t mean a big paycheck. That means we are given a life that stretches into eternity, recognition from the God who created us, and a purpose that reaches beyond self-interest. All of that combines to create a new life not possible without Jesus and his work on the cross.
Jesus Reinvigorates the Freedom That Comes Through Biblical Morality
It is counter-intuitive to think of total freedom related to restrictive actions. Yet that is exactly how life works out. To the unredeemed, biblical morality seems like a killjoy. It seems like the ultimate denial of sensual pleasure, and self-centeredness. However, when we examine both lifestyles over time, we see two vastly different results. One to true freedom. One to bondage.
Following a biblical morality means protecting relational connection with God and with other people. It is when people are selfish that they compromise both, which is contrary to how they are created. Biblical morality forces people to consider the well-being of others. That also means when they are in the process of looking out for other people’s well being, they are also protecting their own well-being. In the end, their lives are characterized by healthy emotions, healthy relationships, and healthy lives. When our lives are characterized by only being indebted to loving others, we are completely free of the social bondages placed on us by conventional wisdom.
Relative morality leads to an opposite effect. To live out Aleister Crowley’s words to “Do what thou wilt,” people almost immediately begin to experience a breakdown in healthy relationships. This is because those who are self-seeking will naturally exclude the well-being of others if it is uncomfortable or inconvenient to themselves. that then sows seeds that will haunt them later in life. To live a self-seeking life means one won’t be bothered to help another selflessly. In the end, when a true need arises for that individual, they may be left alone in their hour of greatest need. It seems our culture is so enamored with this philosophy that nursing homes are filled with relational hungry people whose own families won’t be bothered to care for them selflessly.
Jesus changes that. His presence in our lives reinvigorates the freedom that comes through Biblical morality. That happens because the root attitude of a Biblically moral person is one of care for others. They keep good relationships and maintain healthy living. They live a life of wisdom regarding their finances, diet, social circles, etc. In the end, their lives will be filled with people who pursue the same, so when needs arise, others will gladly come and share the burden. True freedom comes through living out the teachings of Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit. In addition to having social support from good relationships, there is also the comforting and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As Jesus promised, they are never alone. He said, I am with you always even till the end of the age.”
Those are a few reflections on the power Jesus has to change our lives and outcomes. Countless books could be written of real life examples of both these points. For the week, this is enough to think about to keep us thankful for the work Jesus did and the changes He has made in our lives.