New Creation

When Jesus died, death was buried with him. Our bodies may be mortal, but our souls live forever. The Apostle Paul loves the image of new life and connecting new life with the Risen Christ. He writes, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Similarly, the letter to the Romans is littered with phrases like “walking in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). This may come as a surprise to some, but the idea of spiritual transformation is not original to Christianity. In fact, the themes of new life and rebirth are found in every major religion.

It seems, every spiritual journey and tradition has a better future instore for all of humanity. It is a hopeful future always on our horizon, and yet, we can tap into it now. It is a hopeful vision that we all have in common. Though God may have many names, it is God that has created, is creating, and will continue to create. What dies, then, you ask? Selfishness, self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. For Christians, it is Christ that users in the new world. Thankfully, we can choose to participate in what God is already doing.

In this new creation, we possess new feelings toward all people. We adopt a new kind of love toward both neighbors and strangers. When we live into the world that God intends, we establish a new kind of compassion for our enemies. It is radical. It is hopeful. It is being built all around us. My deepest prayer this Resurrection Sunday is that we will collectively open our eyes. As we Worship, praise God, and sing to the top of our lungs may we begin to see anew.

I know Good Friday is tough. I know people can be ugly and cruel. I know violence seems inevitable. I know truth is foreign. But I assure you, God knows what God is doing! God is working. God is transforming! Will you sing God’s song with me? A song of new creation.

The proclamation of “Christ is Risen” is real and it makes a difference. Together, we will learn to join hands with people from all around the world who share our quest for love. It is a thirst for authentic peace and honest justice and we have in common. One day, we will sing a song of joyful hearts. This Sunday, we will sing united as co-creators with an ever-loving God.

Christ is Risen,

Pastor Lucas McSurley

Photo by Samuel McGarrigle