The central message of the first century church was the resurrection of Jesus and the ramifications for the world. The apostle Paul said, "He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." (Colossians 1:18) Later in history the resurrection became more of an appendage to Christian doctrine and sometimes an embarrassment to those inoculated with false science. As the Enlightenment began to exert its influence, the resurrection of Jesus was pushed to the periphery of gospel preaching with the major benefit being a glimmer of hope of life after death. But it is so much more.

The garden we manage is both undeveloped and infested with weeds and thorns. But, we have the resources to get the job done.

Ever since Eden, God planned for a new creation. It was prefigured in the Flood with Noah and his family pointing toward a future new world with a new race. It would be the day that the promise to woman in the Garden would be fulfilled. You remember that God promised that one day the seed of woman would crush the head of the Serpent. (Genesis 3:15) Adam and Eve lost their kingly role in creation by submitting to Satan, but one of their race, a truly human, was destined to start over.

Embracing Our New Life Daily

Some work had to be done before this climactic event, and the story is fascinating. God became a man in the person of Jesus and participated human history in a way that fulfilled the requirements of eternal justice. He lived a perfect life and, died as a substitute for sinful humans. In his death, he ripped away the awful fear of finality and the dreadful anticipation of judgment. Sin was judged in him and sinners were acquitted. In his resurrection, he eliminated the finality aspect of death.

There is life beyond death, but there is so much more. He is the firstborn from the dead. Those who believe (trust in) him are born again by the Spirit that raised Jesus. They begin living the new life now and will continue it forever. The resurrection is not just our hope for the future after our own death, but hope for the present after Jesus's death–and resurrection.

We celebrate the season of Lent in our churches and in our special religions services, but also by embracing our new life daily. We are a new race on the earth. Like Adam and Eve, we have custodial and managerial duties in creation. We too, walk and talk with God in our gardens. We continually gaze on his face without fear and rejoice in the safety of his presence. The garden we manage is both undeveloped and infested with weeds and thorns. But, we have the resources to get the job done. We have been given the name of Jesus who triumphed in the battle with Satan and his powers. We also have been given the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of resurrection, and of transformation as our promised helper and advocate.

Therefore, we are not hapless victims in a world-gone-bad. We are God's new people sent to proclaim the good news that the promise has been fulfilled; the head of the Serpent is crushed; the exile of Israel is over; the day of vindication has come! The Son of man has arisen and the kingdom has been given to him and his people.

It is a new day. We honor it by living life to the fullest.