I once saw a “Jesus” (a man dressed in costume) walking the streets carrying a sign that declared, “Jesus shed his blood for you.” While I understand the significance of that profound statement, I am forced to wonder “What does that mean for someone who doesn’t know the story?” In other words, in our post-Christian, biblically illiterate, and theologically uninformed society, how is that statement interpreted by unknowers and unbelievers? During this Holy Week and season of Easter, how can I best proclaim the Gospel?
First, I must affirm the necessity of the cross. While some Christian theologians prefer to shy away from the narrative of the shed blood of Jesus, the violence of the cross, and the satisfaction of God’s wrath; those elements are significant to the plot of the redemptive meta-narrative and cannot be ignored. The sacrifice of the Lamb of God is central to the story from Genesis to Revelation.
But, my question is “How do we introduce the story of Jesus to the uninitiated?” Do we really want to begin with the violence of the cross? The language of atonement might not be the best place to begin in a secular world that denies original sin and is largely agnostic. Maybe we should begin with the Resurrection. Let’s tell the story of the victory of life over death.
- The resurrection demonstrates that Jesus Christ is God the Son (Acts 13:30-33; Romans 1:4).
- The resurrection proves the blood of the crucified Christ to be efficacious for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:19-21; Revelation 1:5).
- The resurrection presents Jesus Christ as our triumphant Divine Warrior (Acts 2:23-24; Romans 8:33-37; Ephesians 1:20-23; Colossians 2:15; Revelation 1:17-18).
- Through the resurrection, Jesus has overcome the “agony of death” (Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
- The resurrection of Christ validates my faith and hope (John 20:26-28; 1 Corinthians 15:16-19).
- The resurrection signifies new life, eternal life, abundant life (John 3:16; 10:10; 11:25; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
- In the resurrection of Christ, God has formed a new humanity (Romans 5:14-21; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45).
- The resurrected Jesus rescues humanity “from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
- The resurrection anticipates New Creation (Acts 3:21; Romans 8:19-23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
So, if you are compelled to dress in a Jesus costume and walk the streets of your city, maybe your sign should declare,
“I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly!” (John 10:10).
