Resurrected People: To be Alive and Sent

There are many ways to define the Christian. At Easter we are reminded that we are the "People of the resurrection." This is a passive definition. It simply means that we are the people who believe in the resurrection. I prefer the more active expression, we are "Resurrected people".

It is clear from the teachings of Jesus, especially in the Gospel of John, that we don't have to be dead to experience resurrection. Eternal life begins right here, in the here and now, the moment we give our believing heart to God in the name of Jesus. Eternal life means living in the unbroken presence of the Spirit of God. We don't have to be dead. Once you are living in the light of God, nothing, not even death, can separate us from that light.

Another definition for Christians is to say that they are "sent people." Every time Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, he encouraged them, gave them authority, and commissioned them to go out and spread the Gospel. The last time Jesus appeared to his disciples, he took Peter aside and asked, "Do you love me?... Feed my sheep. Do you love me?...Feed my lambs...Do you love me?...Feed my sheep!" Some people believe that Jesus was telling Peter to teach and to give communion to his followers in the church. But that does not square with everything else that Jesus taught. He always was instructing his followers to be compassionate. To feed the poor, clothe the naked, heal the sick, rescue the sinner, and to look after children.

God is always in the business of sending people. Sometimes, those who are sent don't know God. One night, after a church concert, our car broke down in the inner city of Canton, Ohio. It was snowingand very cold. Three young black men, wearing leather jackets and chains approached us. My wife and I were afraid. Moments later, they were pushing our car through the snow to a strip mall nearby. They even gave us a quarter so we could use the pay phone and call AAA. I doubt that any of them had seen the inside of a church for years, yet God was with us and sent them.

On another occasion, we were in a car accident on Route 70. We were in shock, but not hurt. In another car a mother and her two sons were injured. Two semi-trucks stopped. Four men jumped out of their cabs, got those who were injured out of their car, and started applying first aid. Another car stopped. Three Hispanics jumped out. Seeing that there was nothing else they could do, one of them took me by the hand and said,"Come! Let's pray." They lead us over to the snow fence and started praying. I, the preacher, was amazed!

Those who stopped to help us that day were "Resurrected people." they knew that they were living in the presence of God as "Sent people." As they drove down the road that morning, their eyes were open to see whom God was sending them out to help. This Easter, be alive! Keep you eyes open! To whom will God send you today? Tomorrow?

Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Benjamin's Dog Joseph, Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

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