Again, I simply enjoy reading someone who is a theologian of the way of Jesus. Moltmann is - in someways - a spiritual director who tickles me with new ways of seeing all things in the light of the Christ of God. We shall not be redeemer from this earth, so that we could give it up. We shall be redeemed with it. We shall not be redeemed from the body. We shall be made eternally alive with the body. That is why the original hope of Christians was not turned towards another world in heaven, but looked for the coming of God and his kingdom on this earth. We human beings are earthly creatures, not candidates for angelic status. Nor are we here on a visit to be a beautiful star, so as to make our home somewehre else after we die. We remain true to the earth, for on this earth stood Christ's cross. His resurrection from the dead is also a resurrection with the dead, and with this blood-soaked earth. In the light of Christ's resurrection we can already trace the contours of the 'new earth' (Rev. 21:1), where 'death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more. (Rev. 21:4). We are not moving away. We are staying put. The Reign of God that is defined by the life of resurrection is at hand and we are no longer in need of another place to which we will go. Now is the time and this is the place. In the Cross of Jesus we see the way to be alive - eternally. That is, now and forever. We live within the eternal now that is full of all of God's presence. God with us - is life - real life - my life and your life. The mission of the church was the unveiling of the Reign of God as brought to life in Jesus. It was not merely a story about a good guy - or even a sacrificial lamb. It was and is about a life that becomes us. In so many ways, the life of Jesus - that life that goes right on through the cross - is a demonstration of the manner in which all humanity is to be a wonderful unveiling of the stewardship of God's Reign. It is here and now that we care and share and make sure that as we go along the way - people will see the glory of the Lord, God, among us. This is a life that is truly "with" all life and not one that attempts to get away "from"all life. Connection: There is so much here within the limited time we live and the limited spaces through which we move. And yet, it is here and now that we are given life eternally in the image of God. Go for it. |
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