We miss something--something huge--when we convince ourselves that Jesus' sole purpose for coming was to forgive us of our sins. When we believe this, we cling only to a half-truth. Did Jesus' death on the cross forgive our sins? Most definitely! The cross brings redemption to the table. But if we stop there, we miss something that is, in my mind, even greater: the resurrection! We often spend so much time contemplating His death and sacrifice that the resurrection is slighted. The cross is the prelude to the resurrection, for while the cross brings us forgiveness, it is the resurrection that holds the greatest blessing!
Verse 3 and 4 tell us, "Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue." It's clear, isn't it? Christ's ultimate goal was delivering us from this evil world and placing us in the arms of God. That is Jesus' mission, not simply forgiveness. Through Christ's forgiveness, we are reconciled to God. Reconcilation is symbolized by Christ's bodily resurrection, and all of us can take part of this resurrection by entering the Kingdom of God: renewed intimacy with God, intimacy with others, and intimacy with creation!
Verse 3 and 4 tell us, "Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue." It's clear, isn't it? Christ's ultimate goal was delivering us from this evil world and placing us in the arms of God. That is Jesus' mission, not simply forgiveness. Through Christ's forgiveness, we are reconciled to God. Reconcilation is symbolized by Christ's bodily resurrection, and all of us can take part of this resurrection by entering the Kingdom of God: renewed intimacy with God, intimacy with others, and intimacy with creation!
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