Author: Wick

This past week for Easter, we heard from John chapter 20. Mary has returned to find the tomb empty. She brings Peter and John back with her, and they leave after seeing what she has described. She remains, weeping.

She sees two angels, who ask her why she is weeping. She tells them, she doesn’t know where “they” have taken the body of her Lord. As she continues to weep, Jesus enters the scene, and asks her why she weeps.

The scripture tells us she “turns” and sees Jesus, but doesn’t realize it’s him. She gives the same response as with the angels. We can imagine, knowing how someone sobbing with tears would respond to a curious onlooker behind her. A casual glance of acknowledgement, and she continues to weep. After all, what solace could this person offer?

But everything changes, when Jesus speaks her name. “Mary.” No doubt spoken gently. Spoken in a way that communicates things like “I’m right here.” in a loving, joy-filled, and gently spoken way. A way Jesus has spoken to her before, and called her by name. Immediately as her name is spoken, she knows this is no gardener. No random cemetery caretaker. No traveler wandering through. This is Jesus. Rabbi. Lord.

How often do we give Jesus the precursory “glance” over the shoulder? Assuming He can offer nothing to our current situation. Assuming this “Christianity”, “Church”, “Bible”, “Worship”, or whatever is just another thing going on in the background of a life that really matters. A life where genuine existence is painful. Where we experience loss. Mourning. Grief. Frustration. A world that too often, we don’t actually bring before God expecting anything other than what we’d hope for from the gardener.  Glancing at Jesus from the corner of our eyes, while we remain fixed on whatever pain, challenge, or even blessing and joy we’ve found ourselves in the midst of.

But to us, this week and beyond, Jesus remains present. Not silent. He calls out our name, waiting for us to turn completely to him, realizing just who this is beside us.  For us to recognize and look to Him as Lord, Teacher, Savior, and receive all that the resurrection offers us and our world.

It seems to ask us the question – how are we looking at Jesus?   It could radically transform what happens next…

Trying to collect a few comments, or a few thousand, to twist the arm of a publisher to take notice of a book worth putting out there. Spread it to your friends like a toddler spreads snot…..:)

Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In our Good Friday service later this week, different people have been asked to give a 3 or 4 minute thought on the 7 last words of Jesus Christ.  The verse here is what I’ve been asked to speak on.  I’d love to do a fuller fleshing out of so much that is packed in here, but for time/worship purposes, will probably end up reading a poem-thing I’m writing from it.

I’ve posted on the topic before, mainly copying from an interview where NT Wright spoke on the difference between “heaven” as we think of it, and where we believe God is ultimately taking/directing all things toward.  As seen in the above verse, we do not believe that “paradise” is the final resting place for either Jesus or the man hanging on the cross next to him. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 reminds us that “the dead in Christ will rise”, which means even those who have already passed from life as we know it, await further happenings.  But the verse mentioned from Luke assures us they are not simply stored away somewhere, frozen in time.  We believe, and scriptures point to an existence for those who have passed away, that is fully present with Christ, described as “paradise”, and yet still waiting for God to complete His work fully.  That is, the work of bringing a New Heaven and a New Earth together, married in a way that all things have become new.  Those who have died, and those living, will receive new “resurrection” bodies (similar to the existence we see in the resurrected Christ).

So what is it like in paradise?

The word used here, denotes a place of rest and refreshing.  A garden-like place.  But we read this verse from a different vantage point than the man hanging next to Christ.  He knew what “paradise” meant, but may not have known who Jesus was.  We lack a first-hand knowledge of what Jesus means by “paradise”, but we know who Jesus is.  It is enough for us, to know what where we rest between death and resurrection, is in the full presence of Jesus Christ.  Whether we play hockey and drink coffee, tend a garden, or float around in orbs of light – obviously I have opinions and preferences….but I’m not too worried…

It’s kinda neat to know that whatever he’s up to….great great great grandpa and I are both anxiously awaiting the full arrival of God’s complete renewal of all things. (great great great grandma too, for that matter)