Easter . . . the resurrection of Christ . . . what does this mean for you and me. Let me share several verses from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. I'm taking this from "The Message," a very readable modern paraphrase:
"We know that when these bodis of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven -- God made, not handmade -- and we'll never have to relocate our "tents" again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move -- so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what's coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we're tired of it! We've been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what's ahead. He puts a little heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less.
That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming" (2 Corinthians 5:1-8).
For those who believe, the resurrection of Christ proves His power over death and sin. It gives to us the sure hope of our own resurrection, and an understanding that this world is no longer our home. It is merely a foreign land in which we must traverse until that time when the Lord comes to take us home. No wonder there lies within me a restlessness and great desire to see my heavenly home. At the same time, I understand that while I am here there is work to be done.
Paul continues in his writings to the church at Corinth:
"But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we'll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what's coming to us as a result of our actions, good or bad" (vss. 9-10).
"Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing"! Friend, if you are saved and know you are a child of the King, the resurrection of our Lord gives to you the freedom to live in a God pleasing manner regardless of your circumstances. Truth is, many believers will suffer persecution of various kinds, and this world will feel less and less like home. But our faith tells us that it is really just a little while before we experience the grand homecoming into our eternal reward. Like Paul, we need to be more concerned with storing our treasures in heaven than worrying about giving ourselves the pleasures this world has to offer. If you lack this conviction, perhaps this Easter will be the turning point in your attitude about life on this earth.
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