Tim Keller has become one of my favorite authors and preachers. Keller was the preaching minister at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, one of the largest churches on the island of Manhattan. Keller wrangled with Scripture on a deep and personal level. Battling cancer for several years, perhaps Keller looked at everything from a deeper, more personal perspective.
When contemplating the importance of Easter, Keller wrote, “The fact of the resurrection means we have a hope for the future not based on scientific advance or social progress but on God himself (1 Peter 1:21). And this is not simply an intellectual belief but, as Peter says, it is a “living hope,” a vital part of the new spiritual life that comes into Christians by the Holy Spirit through what the New Testament calls “the new birth.” Faith in the resurrection implants that hope into the root of our souls. It becomes such a part of who we are that we can face anything.”
The presence of hope is what sets a Christian apart from anyone else in the world. What is it that we hope for?
At our core, don’t most of us want a close relationship that develops love and intimacy? We dream for security and peace – absence from the turmoil and chaos that rock our world. We hope that we don’t end up alone and in pain. The words “happy, healthy, and wise” appear together many places – emphasizing the inner-connection of what it is we hope for.
I want you to think about a passage of Scripture completely differently than probably what you have been taught. The book of Revelation gives you a picture of Jesus “standing at the door and knocking.” He says, “if anyone hears my voice and opens the door,” He will come in and eat with them (Revelation 3:20).
You probably read that and think it is an invitation to nonbelievers to open their hearts to Jesus. The image has been drawn during many invitation times in churches around the world.
But in the context of Revelation Three, Jesus is speaking to Christians. Remember, He is addressing the seven churches. Verse twenty is speaking to the church in Laodicea.
To eat a meal with someone speaks of a close relationship and a real comfortable atmosphere. Jesus is saying to believers there is potential for a rich fellowship with Him with nothing to hinder the relationship.
Jesus is not a deceased writer whom we only know through his books. He is alive and He is pleading to Christians, “Open the door. Let’s eat.”
That’s my hope this Easter. Let it be yours as well.
Some Thoughts
Holy Week | A Chance to Step Closer
Articles in this column over the last several weeks have considered ways that Christians can confirm their calling into the faith. Tangible actions and attitudes contribute to affirmation and confidence in the process of maturing as a believer. Christianity’s cornerstone doctrine, and foundation of one’s calling, is the resurrection. Paul calls the resurrection of…
Raise a Hallelujah
Palm Sunday celebrates the commemoration of Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Remembering the day in worship can be traced back to the late third century. [su_quote align=”right” cite=”Johnathan Edwards”]To pretend to describe the excellence, the greatness or the duration of the happiness of heaven by the most artful composition of words would…
Raised to Walk
Raised to Walk This Easter, let’s look at the resurrection in a little larger context than we normally view regarding this important Christian doctrine. It is easy to focus attention on the immediate setting of the crucifixion of Jesus to the degree we miss the bigger picture the Bible portrays of the context and contrast…
Some Hope
Because I Am Going
The phrase we need to consider today is “because I am going.” What is the reason that Jesus had to go to the cross on His way to going to the Father? In order to answer that question, we need to develop a theology of sacrifice. The word “theology” simply comes from two Greek words…
COVID Easter Memories
Easter quietly wandered into our houses and snuck out the back door this year, didn’t it? Amidst daily coronavirus updates from governors and the president, a disrupted work schedule and changing patterns of shopping and community, the celebration of traditions had to be tossed aside. Would there even be any Easter memories this year? The…
Rise Let Us Go From Here
Rise let us go from here (John 14:31 ESV). It is the last verse in this incredible chapter in the gospel of John. Rise … let us go from here. We have spent the last fifty days preparing to rise. It is time for us to leave the Upper Room. Let us go from here…
No Longer – A Special Sabbath’s Rest
May I offer an opinion – a hypothesis, if you will? Everything that is in the Old Testament was written to help us understand more about Jesus and what He was going to do on earth. Since we are to follow the example of Jesus, everything in the Old Testament teaches us about how work…
Easter – Moments of Happiness and Joy
Happy Easter! The wonders of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. He is not here. He has risen! Music has always been a huge praise driver for me, but especially on Easter Sunday. What are the songs of your resurrection Sunday? Was your day a day of hymns? People my age grew up in a…
Grave Robber
What is your favorite Easter song? My favorite Easter song was performed by Petra, a music group regarded as the one of the foundations of Christian rock and contemporary Christian music. The song is titled, Grave Robber, and was written by Petra band member Bob Hartman. There’s a step that we all take alone An…