Last week, we began exploring what it means to become a people of hope. We discovered that biblical hope is very different from the way we commonly use the word today. Our hope is often rooted in uncertainty—“I hope things work out.” Biblical hope, however, is an unshakable confidence in God’s promised future. It enables us to live faithfully in the pain of the present because we are certain about what is yet to come.
But what is the foundation of that confidence?
The answer lies in one of the most remarkable claims of the Christian faith: Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul makes a startling argument. While Christ’s death for our sins is central to the gospel, it is His resurrection that changes everything. Without the resurrection, faith is empty, hope is futile, and death still reigns. But because Christ has been raised, everything is different.
To understand why, we need to step back into the larger biblical story. In Genesis 1 and 2, we see God’s original intention for creation—a world filled with life, creativity, relationship, and flourishing under His rule. Humanity was created to walk with God, cultivate His world, and experience life as He intended.
That changed in Genesis 3. Through deception and disobedience, death entered the world. From that moment, death and all its consequences—fear, conflict, suffering, and brokenness—began to dominate human experience. Yet even in humanity’s fall, God promised that one day evil and death would be defeated (Genesis 3:15).
The rest of Scripture tells the story of God’s rescue plan. Through Abraham, Israel, the Law, the Temple, and the prophets, God continually pointed His people toward a coming King who would restore what had been lost. The prophets spoke of a day when death itself would be swallowed up forever (Isaiah 25:8).
That promise found its fulfilment in Jesus.
Yet even Jesus’ closest followers struggled to understand. When He spoke of His coming death and resurrection, they could not grasp what He meant. When He was crucified, it seemed all hope had died with Him.
But then came the resurrection.
The resurrection was not merely a resuscitation like those performed during Jesus’ ministry. The risen Christ appeared physically to His followers. He was seen by hundreds of witnesses, showed them His scars, ate with them, and yet also displayed a transformed existence beyond ordinary human limitations. The dramatic transformation of the disciples—from fearful and defeated to courageous witnesses willing to suffer and die for their testimony—provides compelling evidence that they had encountered the risen Lord and the resurrection was real.
So why does the resurrection matter so much?
Because the resurrection is God’s declaration that death does not have the final word. What was lost in Eden begins to be restored. Through Christ, the gate back into God’s kingdom is opened. The reign of death has been broken, and the reign of the true King has begun.
This means our hope is not simply about what happens after we die. It is about life now. Because Jesus lives, we can experience glimpses of God’s kingdom today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to build communities marked by love, grace, justice, and hope—communities that reflect God’s coming kingdom in the present world.
The resurrection secures our future, but it also transforms our present.
That is why Christian hope is certain. It is not wishful thinking. It is confidence grounded in a historical event: Jesus Christ is risen. And because He lives, we can face today—and tomorrow—with hop
The relentless message we receive from the media is that we, in the US, are more divided than ever before in the history of the nation. We are divided over politics, morals, race, ethics, social policy… and the list goes on. And yet for those of us who claim to be Christians and who look to the scriptures for guidance, we are called to seek and value unity above all else (John 17:9-24).
The upcoming election threatens to amplify and exacerbate our divisions. Do we have anything to offer that will demonstrate how unity can be cherished in the midst of differences in opinion and conviction?
My recent reading and listening has uncovered some really wonderful thinking that has been done on this subject and I want to share some of them with you. They offer real help and hope in places where I often feel helpless and hopeless and are greatly influencing my thinking and communication right now.
Firstly two books, both address the challenges with real life illustrations and practical suggestions
In January of this year Andy Stanley the Pastor of North Point Community Church gave a series of messages entitled “ Talking Points” which provide a great framework for riding out the storm together!
If you are concerned, as I am, that the church should do all we can to provide a clear and unmistakable witness in these times, that we can demonstrate that relationship and civility can be preserved, then I encourage you to read and listen widely. Engage with people you think you will disagree with as well as those who will make you feel comfortable. But don’t let it end there, talk (not text text or social media!) about these ideas with your friends, especially those with whom you think you might disagree. Have these conversations not in order to change their minds but to understand one another better. (I know that, given the present restrictions, that is difficult but it can be done and it is worth it!)
One final thing I urge brothers and sisters in Christ I urge, regardless of what you hear on social media, or some else tells you, don’t allow a perception or assumption to divide you from each other. Take the time to listen and learn from each other. If I had a dime for every time I have heard the words” Oh I never thought of it that way” in the past few months I would be a rich man!!
Its happening! We are about six weeks into the SIP regulations designed to keep us safe. In the early weeks there was a remarkable sense of being together in this and the need to do all we could to encourage and support each other.
Most of us were well aware that we entered this unique season a nation as divided as we ever have been in our history but did we catch a glimpse of what it might be like if we weren’t? I am not sure because our ability to yell at each other seems to be raising its ugly head once again. I read an article yesterday where two people expressed opinions about what the authorities should be doing next. One pleading a case that all the restrictions had been an overreaction and unless we opened up immediately our economy would collapse. The other equally passionately begging government to safeguard people’s lives by keeping the regulations in place. Of course, both are entitled to hold and express their perspectives and which is right I certainly don’t know.
What concerns me as we see the divisions in our nation re-emerge is not the existence of differences that is in many ways healthy. It is that, once again, they are being expressed in increasingly ugly and hostile protests along with threats at rebellion or resistance. Even more concerning is the fact that the church in various forms has chosen to enter the fray. Their rhetoric is also one of entitlement and rights and my uneasiness is that I don’t see that in the life of Jesus or the words of scripture.
I am not saying for one moment that I know the answers but I think that if we do not want to return to our behaviors before God allowed the pause button to be pushed we need to think carefully before we protest our rights and entitlements. Before we join the yelling across whatever divide let’s take the time we have been given to ask ourselves some questions. Do we really believe that God is totally and completely in control? Do we depend on Him alone to provide and protect us? Do we believe our every word and action should bring glory to our Heavenly Father? If the answer is yes how should we then speak and act? Has God given us a chance to do differently? What should that look like?
From the Zebra Bag 