Read and Study:
Matthew 28:16-20 and Colossians 1:15-20
Reflect
As you can imagine, moving from doubt and into belief promises to radically reorient your life, your goals, and your dreams. Today we’ll explore even further how the story of Easter changes your life.
There is no better place to look for these answers than Jesus himself. Our understanding of the resurrected life begins with him and his words. Jesus claims that his resurrection establishes a new authority, new identity, and new mission. After unpacking what this means, we’ll look at the daily lives of people who have walked from doubt to belief in resurrection. Their lives and stories give evidence that Jesus‘ claims lead to new life. The last lines of Matthew’s Gospel belong to Jesus. In his words Jesus explains how to live the resurrected life and speaks of the power that faith produces.
A New Authority: Follow Me
Jesus, as the one who has laid down his life for the world and defeated death, now claims to have all authority on heaven and earth. This claim of authority eclipses that of kings or the leaders of nations. Other kings die, but Jesus vanquished death. Rulers are made, but Jesus is the one who made all things. His rule extends beyond the earth into the heavens, where he deposes powers and brings all who are in opposition to surrender, establishing never-ending peace. Paul poetically describes his lordship in Colossians 1:15-20.
A New Identity: In Christ
Jesus, with complete authority, gives us a new source of identity. We typically find our identity in what we do. But the resurrected life is different. Instead of being named by the things we have done, we are named “in the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” We are no longer defined by our rise and fall in success and failure. Instead, our identity is defined by God’s utter success over our sinful failures and his gift of new life. We have a new identity. The New Testament describes our newfound identity in these ways (This list only scratches the surface of our new identity in Christ.):
Child of God
Friend of God
Servant
Sent one
Reconciler
Disciple
Blessed
Beloved
Saint
A New Mission: Make Disciples
Matthew 28:18-20 is what Christians call the Great Commission, the dominant marching orders for all who have faith in resurrection. It can sound a bit militant: “Take God’s authority and make disciples.” But remember, these orders are from the one who lays down his life to save his enemies. Ironically, our orders are to invite through imitation. Our mission is to make disciples through our words and actions. Or, as Jesus said, “teach and obey.” In fact, it is when we experience the riches of renewal through Christ that we become, as Eugene Peterson says, “God’s advertisement to the world.” We make disciples by living resurrected lives and telling people about the resurrected Christ.
Process
1. How do you follow Jesus’ authority? What areas of life must be surrendered?
2. Looking at the list of identities in Christ, which speaks most profoundly to your heart.
3. As you think about the mission of God, who has Jesus sent you to love and disciple?