Scripture: Luke 24:6-7
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”
Thought for the Day: The messengers of God spoke to the women in the empty tomb about the Son of Man who would be arrested, executed and then be raised out of death and into new life. In his book, The Voices of Luke, Brian McLaren takes a closer look at this commonly referenced phrase, ‘The Son of Man’. Though scholars have numerous opinions on its meaning, McLaren thinks of ‘the Son’ in terms of a new generation, and ‘Man’ as a way of speaking about humanity. “Jesus is Himself the new generation of humanity (a second Adam, a new beginning), and the community He creates will also share this identity (a new creation, a new humanity in Christ)” (p. 164). It is one thing to place Jesus on a pedestal to honor and venerate, but it is a very different thing to think of ourselves as sharing in that identity as a new generation of humanity. We are to do more than hold down the fort until Jesus does his thing. Instead, we are to clearly reflect what a Christ-centered humanity might look like. It is a tall order, but I have this sense that Jesus had a great deal of faith in our ability to do so…maybe more faith than we have in ourselves.
Prayer: I don’t want a big ego or haughty demeanor, Lord, but I am looking for some spirit-filled confidence so my life might give witness to a humanity that rises above hate, greed and the indifference that allows for such behavior to go unchecked. Amen.
Join us tonight…
