Resurrection Lives

 It is pretty obvious why people in the Northern hemisphere chose the spring equinox, or times close to it, to celebrate new life. The Christian Church is no different. The days are noticeably longer, the weather tries to be a little warmer, and the rich earth shoots out new growth all around us. I do not know about you, but I am finding myself smiling a lot more living amongst this bursting beauty.

Jesus used horticulture as a tool to teach us about all kinds of ideas about the Kingdom of God. He spoke about vineyards, seeds, pruning, planting, and harvesting. I think when we pull these metaphors together we see that the Kingdom of God seems to involve a lot of care and attention.

The Hebrew Scriptures also put forth these ideas starting with the first garden. The first people were placed there to 'till it and keep it.' We find all of the main characters in roles of shepherds, vintners and farmers. There seems to be something built into this faith that is about tending and keeping.

What might all this say about living resurrection lives? As people who are claimed by God to inherit eternal life, meaning life beyond death, what might we be called to do as we wait in the meantime?

I mentioned this in the sermon on March 17, that maybe all those stories Jesus told on his way to Jerusalem might give us a hint. In mark twelve we find that God desires folk who will be faithful in tending the vineyard. That since we are made in God's image we should give ourselves to God. That we are not to fear death because our God is a God of the living. That we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. That we should live sacrificial lives.

As we move into this season of Easter and listen to what life is like after resurrection, I offer this encouragement to you: God is indeed with you in all you do. You have the ability to recognize that presence as you tend to the relationships around you. Water your friendships, sit and listen to a stranger, tend to your own body. Be in this world as a child of God.