As we have seen in this short series, the resurrection of Jesus is more than proof of his divinity, more than the assurance of forgiveness of our sins, and the certainty of life beyond the grave. The resurrection of Jesus makes a practical, down-to-earth difference in our daily lives: Like Jesus, we, too, have been raised to new life.

As we continue our post-Resurrection reflections, let’s take a “big picture” look at the story. What are the implications of the resurrection of Jesus as it relates to the epic drama which we have discovered in our two-year trek through the Scriptures? In today's message, we learn that in the resurrection of Jesus the story of Israel is realized, the fall of Adam is reversed, and the nature of God is revealed.

Easter is too magnificent to be celebrated only one Sunday a year! Let’s take some time to reflect on the Resurrection. Aside from the motivation it gives us to place our faith in him, what difference does Jesus’ resurrection make in our daily lives?

In the decades before and after Jesus, there were dozens of messianic movements. In each case, the leader was killed and the movement was squelched. End of story. But there was one messianic movement which did not collapse when its leader died. In fact, the opposite happened: it experienced explosive growth. Why? Three simple words which changed the world: He has risen!

This is now the third time in three chapters that Jesus has told his disciples about his impending death. But they are still clueless: they rebuke Jesus, they completely misunderstand him, or as in this text, they vie for positions of power in his kingdom. They are, in the image Mark uses, completely blind. Jesus will establish his kingdom by the most unexpected means: by the power of self-giving, sacrificial love. And not only that, he expects his followers to do the same.

Spring Training. March Madness. St. Patrick’s Day. In the midst of these popular local attractions, it would seem that to gather outside the Buffalo Chip in order to remember a man who died two thousand years ago is an exercise in futility.

Or is it? Christians believe that the story of Jesus’ unlikely career and untimely death truly the axis upon which the Universe turns. And they believe his glory was seen most clearly when he suffered for the sake of his wayward creation.

Spring Training. March Madness. St. Patrick’s Day. In the midst of these popular local attractions, it would seem that to gather outside the Buffalo Chip in order to remember a man who died two thousand years ago is an exercise in futility. Or is it? Christians believe that the story of Jesus’ unlikely career and untimely death truly the axis upon which the Universe turns. And they believe his glory was seen most clearly when he suffered for the sake of his wayward creation.

Throughout the opening chapters of Mark’s gospel, the question continually presents itself: “Who exactly is Jesus?” Now, in the eighth chapter, we discover that our suspicions are true: Jesus is the Messiah, God’s anointed King. But Jesus quickly confounds his disciples (and us, perhaps) when he says, “The path toward my coronation will involve suffering and death.” Why is this so?

As the early church faced growing persecution, many felt isolated, weak, and fearful. After all, Rome had all the power, all the wealth, and all the resources. Right? No. Wrong. The power of Rome was merely a parody; the reality was this: The Creator God is on the true throne of the universe; God’s purposes through the Lion/Lamb will be victorious – no matter what. No matter what it looks, then or now, God is in Charge. And that gives us hope.

As the first century came to a close, the Roman Emperor Domitian brought widespread persecution to the church. Many Christians lost their lives for refusing to renounce their faith, or to confess, “Caesar is Lord.” Despite this, the church grew like wildfire during this time. One historian wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” What was it that gave them such courage in the face of such difficulty? It was, in large part, the message of this book: The Revelation.