Jun 26 2010 - The scandal of the resurrection (Acts 17:31-32)
In Athens, Paul spoke of Christ not only in the synagogue but also in the marketplace; day by day he spoke to all who would listen. And there were many in Athens quite ready to give him a hearing, for many enjoyed nothing so much as a good debate about new ideas. However, when Paul spoke of the resurrection – both the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the coming day of general resurrection – those same people had no further time for him; they treated his words with scorn.
The Christian message is not a set of ideas to be debated but a fact of history demanding faith and response. The God who made the world and who cares for all that he has made has entered history in the person of Jesus Christ. His resurrection from the dead is the beginning of the new creation, an anticipation of that last great resurrection day when all creation will be transformed and restored to all that it was created to be. The good news is that in Christ we can begin to enter now into the life of the new creation, to live already the life of the age to come.
There are many today who are happy to debate ideas but who are scandalised at the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and the fact of the resurrection of the dead. Even in the churches there are many who are more eager to spend time in endless debate than in living the resurrection life.
Lord, keep me from foolish arguments and interminable debates. Rather, may the risen life of Jesus shine through my life in all I say and do.
Peter Misselbrook