Culture in Transition Pt. 8
Does the church have a message amid the chaos? If ever there was an opportunity for the church to provide light in the darkness pervading our lives, it is now. If 2020 has revealed anything to men and women, it has opened their eyes to change. How we did business in the past will not suffice in 2021 and beyond. We can validate the fact that change has taken place. However, the revelation at this moment is simple—change continues. It is a reality that COVID has interrupted life as we know it. However, change was taking place before the pandemic, and change will continue after the pandemic.
It is no coincidence that this is the Easter season. Easter represents a moment in time that changed everything concerning humanity. This reality also forever changed the culture of this world as we knew it. Mark, in his gospel, recounts his experience. “He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.” (Mark 8:31, 32) The resurrection of Jesus from the dead changed time and eternity. His resurrection impacted the lives of all humanity. The resurrection confirmed that life is spiritual and does not end when one physically dies in this world. This revelation altered the way men and women would view their natural lives.
The Apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, revealed this truth: “So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; (43) It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; (44) It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Cor. 15:42-44) Jesus’ death and resurrection revealed to men and women that life did not end at natural death. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead testified that all humans are spiritual beings living in natural bodies. Time alone verifies this reality. When an individual dies, the body is buried and returned to the earth from which it came. Every individual must realize that this world is not their home and that this earthly culture is only temporary.
If we are to have any insight involving culture and its impact upon our lives, we must first realize that life is as temporary as the cultures we find ourselves living in. Nothing in this life will last, including each individual regardless of where they live or the culture they are a part of. Jesus suffered death on behalf of every person, but also paved the way for their redemption. Jesus suffered in the place of each man and woman providing each who believed that He was the Son of God—the opportunity to experience eternal life. This culture has always been spiritual. The Father desires that every human being recognize this need and believe in Jesus, His only begotten Son. Faith in God, and belief in Jesus, results in reconciliation to God. Each person can experience the love of God in this life and in the life to come.
Luke records the fulfillment of the resurrection promised in his Gospel, chapter 23. Verse 32 reveals: “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.” Then Luke continues the narrative, beginning with verse 39: “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us! (40) But the other criminal rebuked him. Don’t you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? (41) We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. (42) Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (43) Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Our prayer is that you would also believe. The result has not changed…”I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”