Thursday: The Resurrection: He Proclaimed The Purpose

Posted on Apr 13, 2017 in Holy Week 2017 |

Big announcements can be a lot of fun. I enjoy watching the video posts on Facebook of all the creative ways people make their pregnancy announcements, engagement announcements, and other exciting announcements. Sometimes big announcements are best made with much flair and drama, like several “It’s a Boy” or “It’s a Girl” reveals that some couples in our church had this year. Sometimes, big announcements can just as effectively be made with a little more subtlety. The first public announcement of Dana and my engagement was made by our pastor at church who nonchalantly said, with a little grin, “And, by the way, you all might want to take a look at a little something on Dana’s finger.” No matter the form they take, big announcements have a way of changing the lives of everyone around them!

Easter morning was, in many ways, Jesus’ big announcement that He had  accomplished His purpose in coming to Earth. Jesus came not only to proclaim and embody the good news that God so loved us that He was making a way for a creation dead in their sin to have eternal life, but also to consummate the good news that He Himself would overcome that barrier of sin. Scripture tells us that He came not “…to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV). He came to fulfill the mission and purpose of the Suffering Servant of God, prophesied by Isaiah to be the One who would be “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities.” The One upon whom the Lord has laid “the iniquity of us all” (Isa 53:5-6 NIV). Because God’s rightful reign over us was shattered by sin, the shattering of sin by the death and resurrection of Jesus enables us to be reconciled to God. The resurrection of Jesus was His proclamation of His purpose fulfilled! Has there ever been any bigger news—and has there ever been a more powerful and fitting announcement in all of history? That glorious announcement rings as loudly and as clearly today as it did on that first Easter morning.
 

As you prepare to celebrate the truth and hope of the resurrection, I think it’s only fitting to ask yourself, “Am I continuing to proclaim the hope of that Easter morning announcement?” Good news should never be kept to yourself, especially the kind of good news that can change people’s lives and eternities! Who have you invited to come to church this Sunday? Who are you praying for that needs to know Jesus? How are you being intentional about being the hands and feet of Jesus at work or at school or in your neighborhood?

Jesus proclaimed the accomplishment of His purpose and mission through His resurrection. Let us fulfill our purpose and mission to share that Good News with everyone we know.

 

Pastor Aaron Robb