If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peacefully with all.  (Romans 12:18 NRSV)

Reflections by Keith Funk

I am of the mind that Easter changes everything. There is nothing in life that is untouched by Jesus’ resurrection. From here on I cannot see life and living apart from our Lord’s rising from the dead. For some this may sound pretentious. Others may hear this with doubt, pity, and even disdain. This may give rise to offence for some, while others may hear this with incredulity.

I believe Jesus’ resurrection is the beginning of God’s new creation, the making of all things new as written in Revelation 21:5. I am hardly alone in this as many others, past and present have seen and see this as well. In Jesus’ death on the cross, he took upon himself sin and death for all. In his resurrection, God vindicated his Son. Jesus’ empty grave is the declaration that life has won and rules. From Jesus’ resurrection, we now can anticipate:

                  “Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no
                   more, for the first things have passed away.”  (Revelation 21:4 NRSV)

Out of deep conviction, I share this with you. This is God’s resurrection reality through which we can now see the world. We have this, now, as our vantage point. From here we can see what is and what is coming. Oh, to be sure, there is much that clouds our vision. But we can live with a broad perspective of reality immersed in hope considering all that is before us, and in that which is to come.

May our lives be lived out of this “Easter Perspective.” If this is the way we can see the world around us, and though which we see others, Paul’s words from Romans 12, printed at the top of the page, make perfect sense. There is new life! This new life, to be received by us, also beckons us to a new way of living. This new way of living is established through Jesus’ resurrection and is given witness to through our pursuit of peace.

The pursuit of peace begins with God who gave his Son in death and raised him from the dead. As we receive this wondrous gift, we then can see others through the reality of this same gift given them as well. Jesus’ death and resurrection for the world: for the one living next door to us, for the one with whom we stand in the grocery check-out line, for the one who marks their ballot with an “R” as we mark ours with a “D”, and vice versa. Now, we may find this an enormous and overwhelming task. We may also think ourselves inadequate towards such a pursuit. Nothing could be farther from the truth. For with the task, there is the presence of the Holy Spirit. May we then live in receptivity to the Spirit and to the task before us. 

May God’s resurrection reality be our “Easter Perspective.” As this is so, we will then have work to do: namely, daily and locally, as it is possible, to live peacefully with all.

Peace be with you.