Does the resurrection just make a difference to us Christians? And what difference does the risen Jesus make to our everyday lives? Can God touch or even transform the brokenness we see around us?
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Many of us go into teaching, at least in part, to make a difference to the lives of those we teach. When we step into any school community, we see a lot of life and not all of it is good. There are the everyday bad actions of children who are learning to be disciplined but then there are troubles at home, illnesses and often our course mates and colleagues are in just the same sorts of difficulty too. It’s easy to think that our actions simply won’t do enough good.
All the bad that we see in this life is part of our broken world, brought in by sin. We humans are good at identifying what isn’t right but fixing it is impossible. Our self-improvement, social care budgets and medical advances will never reach all the brokenness we see. But Jesus has done. The resurrection of Jesus means that death is not the end and Bad does not have the last word
The sting has gone from death because Jesus has put a stop to the downward spiral of humanity’s sinfulness. Instead, he rose to life and defeated the grave. This means each Christian’s future is dramatically different. We can look forward to a world made new and a future with no more tears or pain.
It also means that the sting has gone today. Because Jesus lives and has victory today, he has the power to change things. We don’t have to settle for our best efforts to solve a problem or give sympathy. No, we walk with the Lord who longs to hear and answer our prayers. He can change that situation at home for that child. He can heal. He is ready to help. Bad’s days are numbered because Jesus is alive now and for infinite days to come.
The question is, what is your role here? Some of us will be just getting through each day, acknowledging the problems around us but feeling powerless to help. Others of us will be more inclined to take up the superhero cape and put in the extra hours and care to make changes for every student we can.
But what does God call us to in a world which is clearly broken and where we know that the answer is always him? Firstly, pray. There is nothing more powerful, apart from God himself, than a praying believer. Sure, it rarely feels powerful and sometimes the answers are not as we expect. And yet, Jesus has brought us into the throne room of his Father for worship and for help - God is ready to act if we are ready to ask.
Secondly, sometimes there are things we can do. God's compassion runs through us and, at times, may move us to spend a few extra minutes with that child, or to take a course mate or colleague for a coffee to listen. Let's be guided by God here. When there are thigs we can do, let's do them and see the dominion of darkness shrink and lose as the days roll on towards Jesus' return.
This post is part of a mini series. Read the next one: 3/4 No Longer Slaves