“Imagine“

Some two millennium ago, the age of spiritual enlightenment was thrusted into whole new dimension than what it had ever been before. It was about the time in which Jesus came into the world and changed the way humanity would forever see the Kingdom of God. Before this, people’s entire experience was formulated around the Law and how religious leaders dictated the way it was to be interpreted.

If it weren’t hard enough to live up to the expectations of men who ‘raised the bar’ for the people however they seen fit, the absence of a genuine relationship for most people between themselves and God was a fallacy. God seemed so distant that the people of the day felt so deprived of any authentic spiritual experience. It would be fair to say that they spent most of their efforts in the attempt to thwart-off God’s wrath, let along try to establish a personal relationship with him.

Imagine how the people in that day felt as they were constantly told by their religious leaders that their sinful condition would never allow them to have that personal bond that they longed for. Being told that they would never be good enough to approach God, all the while, being subjected to the false hope that was found in these same religious leaders.

No wonder the sinful woman had no other choice than to force her way to Jesus as he dined in the Pharisee’s home. No wonder the disciples dropped what they were doing to follow the Lord. No wonder the Centurion came to Christ when his servant was about to die. No wonder the woman with the ‘issue of blood’ desperately sought to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment to receive healing. These and many other found real hope in Jesus and were desperate to have more than just ‘Commandments’ and ‘the Law.’

Now imagine seeing that hope die while hanging on a cross. Let’s face it; not too many of his followers really believed that he was going to come back from the dead. His disciples were in hiding, fearing for their own lives. Others who followed Jesus went back to their former lives and work. None of them believed the report of the women who had seen the empty tomb until they went themselves. Even at this, they were bewildered to what had taken place. Why is it so hard to convince people that it is all true? Why is it so difficult to persuade others that it is real?    

Imagine now that Jesus pays you a personal visit. I like comparing this to the ‘knocking at the door’ idea that Jesus speaks of in Revelation 3:20 and Luke 12:36. Jesus appears to the women at the tomb. He comes to his disciples behind the locked doors. He calls out to them as they were fishing, and he cooks them breakfast. Thomas even got to place his finger in the wounds on his hands. How much more real can you get?! In the same way, Jesus comes to people today as he looks to convince us that he is the ‘real deal.’ He shares the truth of the gospel and how it sets people free.

In the same manner that the people in the day of Christ were oppressed and hopeless, so many today experience the same hopelessness in their spiritual lives. Many are burdened with their sin and need relief. Many are held in bondage and cannot find the “Way.” Many are confused by all the conflicting messages that are contrary to “Truth,” and many are robbed of abundant and everlasting “Life”. The good news is that the answer for us today is the same as it was 2000 years ago.

Imagine that your family found that hope in Jesus Christ. Imagine, your friends and colleagues discovered the peace that comes from God. Imagine, your adversaries becoming your allies as they experience the life changing work that salvation brings. Imagine, replacing the turmoil of life with the harmony of Kingdom. The best part of all of this is that we don’t have to imagine it; Jesus has made it reality.

Remember to share this Good News of the Way, Truth and Life this Easter Season and everyday hereafter. Have a Happy Easter.