A New Kind of Birth

We stop.

We remember.

An event that seems so strange in the context of our modern world.

Rising from the dead?

God forsaking God on the cross?

The resurrection is so absurd, so far fetched.

Could it be real?

Is it real, to me?

This week I've asked myself: what does the resurrection mean to me?

I've had a hard time answering the question.

Not willing to cop out with my answer - its been a struggle to find the right words.  I may be able to pull one over on someone else,  but I must to be honest with myself.

This morning as I was out for a walk with Amos, 6:30-ish on Easter Sunday morning. The sun was just rising, the spring air - clear, with a sense of newness. Lush gardens beginning to express the colors of spring, and Amos and I - walking.

I worshiped God in that moment, so aware of his presence and love. And my question resurfaced.

What do I think about the resurrection?

I had a heart wrenching thought. The apex of the christian faith, resurrection, new life, the restored humanity, can all be so hard to grasp because I spend so much time denying it.

This day. This Easter Sunday morning, its so easy to affirm the Life of Christ and his resurrection with our lips.

But what about tomorrow?

When I walk past the needy man.

When I choose anger, over gentleness.

Rash judgment over patience.

When I choose despair over my circumstances instead of hope.

Do I really affirm the Resurrected life of Christ?

Its hard to say yes.

But - if I confess that I do indeed deny the resurrection of Christ. I must also proclaim that I affirm it!

The Gift of God, through Christ, his Holy Spirit, connects with me on occasion.


I hear someone.

I see someone.

I forget myself, and serve.

Its true.

I affirm.

I deny.

I am a sinner.

I am a saint.

There was a man named Nicodemus who approached Jesus under the cloak of night. Nicodemus offers a compliment to Jesus. And Jesus responds with a statement about the life renewed. "Unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3)

Born again?

I watched a birth this week - the birth process is still very fresh in my mind.

While the birth lasted but an instant, there were 41 weeks of pregnancy leading up the moment of new life. We welcomed our daughter Hattie Nell into this world on Palm Sunday at 7:28 am.

And I agree with Nicodemus' response to Jesus: "What do you mean? How can a man go back into his mother's womb and be born again?"

Let me tell you, I know for a fact that is impossible.

My 6 lb 15 oz daughter was a 'just fit'.

Jesus answers him, "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life"

Birth.

Birth follows a season of pregnancy.

Heavy laden.

Expectant.

Stretching.

Pain.

And then. Just as the day is new. Just as the tomb is rolled away. Just as the songs of the bird awakes the morning.

Birth.

New Life.

Joy.

Peace.

For me, the language of affirming the resurrection of Christ hasn't come easy. Its been sort of like a pregnancy.

I think Jesus knew this. Thats why he used this language of birth.

Affirmation. Denial. Expectancy. Pain. Joy. Hope. Surprise. Sorrow. Celebration.

But always - life.


Flesh.

Blood. 

Life.