Whenever someone asks me about what Jesus did for me, I often respond with how He died for my sins on the cross and rose again three days later. It's an accurate assessment at the surface level, but when I dig a little deeper into the reasons for why I say that, I think at times I may be missing the mark. You see, when I think about Jesus and what He did for me, I immediately think of how He loved me and saved me from my sins by paying the penalty that I rightfully should have paid. Now I don't deny that this is true for me and everyone else, but I think it's wrong if it just ends there. Not only did He die, but He also rose again.
Now the resurrection, for me, has always been kind of like an added thought to the main point about Jesus dying on the cross. But actually the two go hand-in-hand. You can't talk about the cross and all that it means without referring to the resurrection and all its purpose. Because Christianity isn't just about being saved from our sins by the gracious act of Christ. It is also about being brought into a new life. And in this new life, we are called to the mission: the mission of reconciliation.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation."
2 Corinthians 5:17-18
God is on a mission to restore a fallen world to its original purpose. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: a kingdom for Him to dwell. And He also created man and woman in order to rule over the fish, the birds, the livestock, the wild animals, and all creatures that move along the ground. The kingdom was made to be ruled by man and woman in partnership with God.
But because man rejected God and brought sin into the world, creation longs for a new ruler: the Messiah. The Messiah would tread underfoot the works of darkness and restore the rule of God and man. This Messiah came through the Son, Jesus Christ. And with Him, the beginnings of the new Kingdom.
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matthew 4:17
Now this Kingdom won't come to completion until His return, but it is here nonetheless. And He has called all who acknowledge Him as Savior to be apart of expanding His Kingdom. Our partnering rule has been reestablished.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
And that's why I'm going on the World Race. Because I believe God has entrusted me to fulfill the Great Commission and to be used by Him to restore lost souls to Him. This is an amazing privilege as I bring the best news this world has to offer; Christ loves you and died for you to deliver you from your sins so that we could be a part of a whole new order of life. Now that message can be shared in a variety of ways, but for me God has chosen the World Race for this coming year. I am so excited to begin this journey! In a week I will be in Georgia at training camp where I will be meeting my team, getting a feel for what life will be like this coming year, and ultimately experiencing God's presence in a new and deeper way! Thank you for all your prayers and support as this could not be done without you. I pray that we will all look to fulfill the mission that God has given us as it truly is a glorious privilege.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46
