Resurrection Life and Mission

By Sharon Quek

Today, on Easter Sunday, we remember the resurrection of our Lord. What a glorious hope and blessing of new life! As we reflect on this new life and my work in missions, I am reminded about 3 things. This resurrection life is (1) why Jesus came to earth, (2) how we are individually transformed and (3) why Jesus sends us to the world.

1) Jesus’ resurrection life is why Jesus came to earth, in obedience to God the Father.

Jesus came to break the power of sin by dying for us on the cross and rising to new and everlasting life. That was what He regarded as His ‘charge’ from the Father.

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17-18 (ESV)

2) Jesus’ resurrection life is how we are individually transformed.

Our old sin-tainted lives die with Christ. And with Jesus’ resurrection, we are now dead to sin and alive to God in Christ.

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:1 (ESV)

3) Jesus’ resurrection is why He SENDS us to the world. 

Through the resurrection, His disciples realised what Jesus came to do here on earth. 

“He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”  Acts 1:3 (ESV)

The sheer power of the presence of their RESURRECTED Lord gave His discouraged disciples renewed hope and purpose. And that is also our comfort and encouragement! With the final gift of the Holy Spirit, God gave the power for His disciples to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.  

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Thank God that we are not alone, and that His Holy Spirit is with us! May this encourage all of us to persevere in faith, and the Lord’s work of being His witnesses not just where we are, but to places even further away that have yet to know of this resurrection life in Him!  

To God be the glory!