Relevancy22: Contemporary Process Christianity: Post-Evangelic Topics and Theology: Easter Day Message

The crucifixion was Empire's NO to justice;

and it's YES to domination and repression.

The resurrection is God's YES to liberation and goodwill;

and God's NO to Empire.

Now The Green Blade Riseth

Hallelujah! Jesus is Risen! These grand words we speak to one another today were words but spoken in private among Jesus' followers as religious leaders of Israel's temple backed by Rome's dutiful legates searched for Jesus' seditious followers daring to question the faith institute and rule of their day.

We know through the gospels Jesus' ministries to be one of reversals. Wherever corruptible faith and religious injustice thrived Jesus stood against it. His kingdom was both spiritual and challenged the faith leadership of his day. His was the upside down kingdom which called out sin, hypocrisy, lies, and corruption. For that He was silenced and crucified. Sinful man did not want to hear what God's love would require of them.

But the God who loves could not be silenced. Jesus arose from the dead to speak through those whose voices asked with Him, "Whom will you chose? The god of mammon or Me? The god of hypocrisy or Me? The god of lies and corruption or Me?" If it seems like we live in the times of Jesus it means that man has not changed either in his religious arrogance or his hypocritical rule. It is still corruptible, still full of wind and fury, still darkened by lies and folly. To be a Jesus follower is as difficult today as it always has been, even though we describe this post-Jesus era as the Age of the Church.

Yet the church is as corruptible now today as Israel's religion was back then. Ever era seems to go through its own "End Times" even as our Lord experienced in His life and death. Yet, God's faithful still raise the banners of God's love, hope and mercy though these same banners are despised and cast down by those goats who cry "Lord, Lord, when did we ever do such a thing?" In reply, the hosts of God will say, "When love was needed and you showed none; when aide and effort required words of hope your hearts were shut; when forgiveness cried mercy and you offered none. Your words and your works are your judgment."

The religious of Jesus' day were as darken then of understanding as they are today having thrown in their lots with the Empire of its era. Who, having declared a gospel of violence and judgment, find it fallen upon their own head though they decry their innocence. On this Easter morning, to give witness to Jesus' resurrection is to stand against the powers and principalities of the world of today. Including its empire preachers and rulers bespeaking their greatness and sanctimonious holiness while clothed in rags of self-righteousness, legalism, pride, and deception.

Yes, Jesus has risen indeed! But no longer stand ye at the tomb and weep. Nor wait in the Upper Room to be called forth by the Holy Spirit. For the God of love has risen, and cries out with clarion voice to arise and be counted as one of His crucified faithful. That the gospel of Christ demands confessing our prejudices, hatreds and anger; to repent of our sins; to love the stranger around us; and be willing to forgive, to seek, and to serve the despised and forgotten till He comes again as Lord of Lords over all empires of this world whether religious or not.