17.9.08

Learning about the meaning of the resurrection Jesus today


Thoughts on Christology - making sense of the significance and identity of Jesus (!)
'The name that is above every name' (Phil.2:9-11)
The one called Lord (Greek kyrios), Messiah(Hebrew anointed one, Son of God, Servant of God, Son of Man (Aramaic bar enosh used by Jesus to refer to himself), Son of David, Righteous (Greek dikaios) One, Lamb of God, New Adam, Word (John), Icon (or Image), Wisdom (Prov 8:22, 27-31), High Priest (Hebrews 1:9, 5:7,9), True Vine, Good Shepherd, Door, Truth, Way, Life, Resurrection, 'my God' (Thomas' exclamation John 20:28). Christ (Paul made this Greek word for Messiah - christos - a regular part of Jesus' name).
  • 'Jesus' divine sonship is made fully manifest in the resurrection.' (Recovering Jesus' Thomas Yoder Neufeld.)
  • It is the firstfruits of the resurrection of us all. 'For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.' (1 Cor 15:22-26)
  • Jesus's resurrection is the signal that God has begun the remaking of the cosmos.'(Recovering Jesus' Thomas Yoder Neufeld.)
  • Resurrection Jesus - bodily - hands, sides, wounds, eats and drinks
  • New creation - not recognisable physically but in an action - their 'hearts were warmed' - Emmaus and 'in the breaking of bread'
  • 'The resurrected body of Jesus is in some mysterious way one that encompasses the assemblies of believers.' (Recovering Jesus' Thomas Yoder Neufeld.) 'But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..' Eph 2:4-6 We are 'the body of Christ' (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 2:16; 4:1-16) 'To call Jesus the "Christ" is not to separate him from his followers; as Messiah he provides the identity and task for his followers.' (Recovering Jesus' Thomas Yoder Neufeld.) We are 'in Christ' (Gal.3:28)
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe! (John 20:29)

The last of these statements is the one that concurs currently with the Jesus I'm experiencing - the Jesus that lives in us, and I come most into communion with this Jesus in the assemblies of believers. Jesus is so amazing and beyond our understanding and yet can be felt right there amongst us when we tune in. It is at these times that we become aware that we stand on Holy ground and are witnesses to those burning bushes all around us (Rob Bell). For this to happen does take some action on our part. There are of course occasions when God just boldly and exuberantly manifests himself but I'm not worried that for the most part I need to cast off my busy thoughts and distractions, I need to be still and listen and seek through the fogginess, the signs of my Lord's presence. Isn't it the same for all of us?

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A little background reading so we might mutually flourish when there are different opinions