Is Resurrection On-Going?

All through my years of ministry I have often heard things like: “I know he/she is in a better place.”  “When I die will I be united with my love?”  “I can’t wait to be with _____ when I die.”    There are many more references to meeting others on the other side of earth.

It seems strange now to realize that I have never formed a theological stance on this idea of what happens after death.

I just believed it is truth.

I am thinking about that now because my, dearest high school, friend is attending her granddaughter’s funeral today.  

Katie was a vital young woman of 21 year.  Her death came at the hands of a friend.  He brutally stabbed her to death; because she couldn’t return his offer of love.  In other words, she refused to be his only life partner.

The other reason I am focusing on this is because of a  book I have been reading for devotions.  The title is: Loaves, Fishes, and Leftovers by Ted Loder.

The particular section this morning was on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Very simply put — in my simple mind — resurrection is on-going.  

For a few pages Loder had been answering questions on, I’ll say, what resurrection mean and how it speaks to us today.  Well into the conversation he says:

 

“So I think of the “on-going-ness” of relationships in two ways. One is this: All the creeds and the Gospels, whatever they claim about Jesus , affirms that he was fully a human being, right?  Then, it seems logical that the rest of us aren’t quite fully human yet, doesn’t it?   I am suggesting that in resurrection we continue to struggle to be fully human, not angels or whatever but fully human, like Jesus.  Sounds strange to say, but here it is.  And to be a human being is to be related to other people.  How else can that happen?   How can we be related to God without that?…..” (p.67)

“To have a relationship go on is to say that the possibilities remain….. the possibilities go on after death, I think.  As they did for Jesus and the disciples.  Maybe it takes forever to realize those possibilities, to find the peace, justice, love, and joy that we most deeply long for.  But I trust that longing is not just about something in us but something about God. I think God is in our longing, that God has put it there.  And will not leave it unmet” (p. 66)

I read that paragraph and wrote at the bottom of the page: "So Cool!"

So to say all of this another way, I am captivated by Loder’s discussion that begins on page 54, maybe a bit earlier.

I am fully taken with all to this for another reason as well.  My husband took the hands of God in August of 2013.  And I often feel his presence; while sometimes feeling regret about how, and why, our marriage ended.

After writing the above; I opened my CNN news clips and read:  "They lost their love ones to Covid.  Then they heard from them again - CNN"

The article goes on to give serval stories about people who claim they have been somehow contacted by those who are on the other side of earth.   The stories made me recall my own experiences with such stories through the years. 

 

I am sure if you check CNN you will be able to fine the complete article.

So now I am wondering how you, my readers, are thinking about this subject as well. 

Tomorrow I want to delve into what it means: “resurrection of the body.”