Reflection on Resurrection Day – what I am saved from is as important as what I am saved for!
What Christ did recapitulates humanity.
The first Adam impacted humanity through disobedience. The second Adam through obedience. In His life, Jesus was tempted and was victorious, cast out demons, calmed the storm, healed the sick and raised the dead. This is his life showing us towards his victory on the cross giving us a hope in the now and not yet. A foretaste.
Jesus sacrificed his life to rescue sinful humanity, defeat Satan and even death itself and free all creation to be restored to a relationship with God. God came to Earth so he “might kill sin, deprive death of its power,” and restore life and freedom to all humanity. Jesus “brought death to nought”. This speaks of a self-sacrificial God and God is love – all three persons in Trinity in overcoming the power of evil.
When resurrection and ascension happened, the world is no longer the same as before Christ came. It is no longer under Satan’s control (it was never owned by Satan). Christ reclaimed the nations (Genesis 11) back to Himself and established the Kingdom of God.
Whilst the cross is central (as in most atonement theories), individual salvation must be balanced with cosmic ramifications on salvation and must be viewed with resurrection (cosmic ramification) and ascension (that the Holy Spirit might come).
We are brought into life with God through His ascension with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit comes with incarnation and is left to be with us after Christ’s ascension.
We can therefore live victoriously. Christ’s work is for me (individual) and the body of Christ (humanities). We who are in Christ have been set free from sin and death.
Sin and death are powerful but through the incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus has overcome the power of sin, death, and the devil (no glory to him). I am saved to follow Jesus, to believe in him, to know him, to trust him, to have that life that he brings and showed. It is therefore a salvation (a gift and work of God) for me and my family and a salvation that is ecclesial, material, social, cosmic and eschatological.
What is the focus in Romans 6:23 (ESV)? It says ”23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
If sin is the focus, then the atonement is the solution for sins; forgiveness and redemption. If death (spiritual) is the focus, then the atonement is the solution for death; eternal life. Whichever way, what I am saved from (atonement) is as important as what I am saved for.
Ephesians 4: 1 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called”
On this Resurrection Weekend, may I encourage you to reflect what you are saved from and for!
Blessed Hope on Resurrection Day,
Wan Leng HO
Co-chair, NCW
