The traditional Easter celebration beautifully illustrates the missio dei (God’s Mission). It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and the power behind God’s mission on earth.
The resurrection fuels endurance for God’s mission by assuring us, His people, that our future is secure. Consequently, we can live courageous lives. We can endure criticism, hardships, and suffering knowing that Jesus’ resurrection has assured our eternal life. Easter reminds us that we can fully give ourselves to God’s mission without undue concern for our own wellbeing.
The resurrection empowers us to go into the most remote, broken, and desperate places. As we go, we go armed with the hope born of the resurrection. In these challenging places, we bring a love that transcends the danger, the addictions, the despair, and indeed all the needs we encounter. The Easter celebration reminds us that we have all the power of the resurrection at our disposal as we minister to those in need.
Easter reminds believers that our true hope is not in the temporary pleasures and possessions of this current world but in the promise of both a new heaven and a new earth, and more immediately, in the salvation offered for living now! Easter reminds all of us that not only death is destroyed but also anger, bitterness, poverty, racism, sexism, and all forms of brokenness and darkness. This is the message we embrace right now of the mission dei when viewed through the lens of the resurrection.
This week, as you prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, pray for more courage to live the resurrected life boldly where you are. Pray for eyes to see those still suffering in darkness and despair and offer them a word of hope. May God bless you with eyes to see His mission dei this Easter!