Alive to God in Christ Jesus

The western saga Lonesome Dove is the story of two retired Texas Rangers who drive a herd of cattle from a little, gully town in South Texas by the Rio Grande to Montana. The dusty wide spot named Lonesome Dove has one attraction, a small saloon with two tables, a piano player, and, well, the town’s woman, Laurie. With a dream of San Francisco, Laurie ends up on the cattle drive. The trail boss, Woodrow Call, who is against any woman on a trail drive, is discussing the matter with his partner, Gus McCrae.

Gus, with a world-full of empathy for Laurie, claims, “She would have just died if she had stayed in Lonesome Dove.” Woodrow argues, “She would have died anywhere.” Gus exclaims, “It ain’t dyin’ I’m talking about, Woodrow; it’s livin’!” Life after death may just be the easy part. The part we need to be saved to is life before death.

This is what Paul was telling the church in Rome: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too walk in newness of life. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus”.

Why does the church so often save its most powerful proclamation about death and resurrection for funerals? Jesus is the resurrection and the life not just for the crisis moment of death, but for all moments in life. As Frederick Buechner says, in a similar vein, “It’s not Jesus’ absence from an empty grave that convinces us. It’s his presence in our empty lives.”

The Gospel of John records: “A great crowd came to Bethany, not only because of Jesus, but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well.” The power structures of the world had desires to kill Lazarus, because on account of risen Lazarus, people were believing in Jesus.

All Lazarus had to do to witness to the power of Christ was to just show up, and people were convinced. “Yeah, that’s Lazarus alright. I was there when he died. I helped roll the stone over his tomb. And here he is four days later, talking and walking around. Here he comes, now; he showed up to dine with Jesus.”

Someone has said: “Ninety percent of Life is just showing up.” Do not underestimate the power of your presence: It can be the power of Jesus, the power of the resurrection. Some of our most important work for the commonwealth of God may occur when we just show up.

Show up when the helpless need help. Show up as a Christian when justice is scoffed at. Show up when a brother or sister needs spiritual encouragement. Show up when Christians gather to proclaim their faith through worship. Show up when righteousness requires a witness. Show up when inept political structures demand judgment. Show up when the presence of a Christ begs physical reality. By just showing up! you will testify that the resurrection to life in Jesus has become a reality in your life.

The late Peter Gomes of Harvard once wrote: “The proof of the resurrection is literally in your life.” If you will permit Christ to make you a new creation, you will be the only proof of the resurrection that this tired, old world will ever need. I can assure you, God’s desire for you this Easter is a resurrection! It’s time for a raise.