Resurrection and Life
Originally performed at Missio Dei Church’s Easter Service Salt Lake City, Utah Music production by Josh Rosenthal Guitar accompaniment by Noah S.
Intro (15 seconds)
We enter with expectation. As the prophecy calls forward from Genesis. We see Ham cursed and a blessing spoken over Shem and Jepheth. Unto Shem, there is placed an expectation -- His tents shall be a dwelling place for the people of Jepheth. From Shem's seed comes Abraham, and the prophecy of blessing extends upon his numerous descendants. Israel is to be a covering to the nations, a people of intercession and introduction into the presence of I AM. But, as the pattern goes, this blessing did not extend beyond the tents skirts of the Israelites. They coveted their inheritance, and the great I AM withdrew his presence. Four hundred years of silence and continuing expectation. Messiahs were plentiful, though none found lasting victory over the oppressive rule of Rome.
Interlude 1 (15 seconds)
Then suddenly, the voice of the Lord returned, not to rulers or prophets but to a virgin and her betrothed. This is the annunciation. The promise of the Messiah born to those of humble means, affirming his birth in a feeding trough, not in a palace room. Now, his cousin was born first, always the rambunctious one, John became a wandering prophet, living off the land, wearing clothes of fur from animals he had caught with his own hands. Ever preaching repentance through a sinewy beard dripping with honey and dotted with crumbs of locust. Some even called him the Messiah, but John deflected them, saying, “I baptize with water, and the deliverer will baptize with fire.” This prophetic proclamation spurred dissent among the ruling elite, then in a moment of irony, a lowly carpenter was baptized before them. The same Nazarean who stumped them with his questions as a boy, and then showed incredible wisdom with his knowledge of Scripture as a young man. This Jesus, who, when coming up for air was greeted with a dove and the voice of God saying, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Finally, the promised one had come. The people yearned for this Messiah to be a ruler, a warrior-poet like David, who would destroy the Goliath of Rome and return to Israel it's promised glory. But their hope was misplaced, and their prophecy confused. For the glory of Israel would not be won through a military coup; rather, it would be found in a sacrificial lamb whose hands spread peace and whose words granted forgiveness.
Interlude 2 (15 seconds)
Like the prophecy of old, the tents of Shem became a dwelling place for the people of Jepheth. This is the fulfillment. A story we read posthumously, these gospels are His testament. Eyewitness accounts of the Messiah, not an eloquent eulogy proclaiming his deeds as something done, or celebrating his words as something once said. This testament of His life is not an example to be copied and diligently applied. For we are not the Christ, there is only one. The gospels are the fulfillment. His words -- living and active -- spurring us to action. His death tore the veil, which gave us access. His resurrection conquered the grave, which gives us life to the full. We are meant for now, not the mysterious end. The expectation is for us, we are to announce the Kingdom has come. By proclaiming His rule, we fulfill His calling -- A covering for the hurting, a place of refuge for the abandoned. Advent is a time for us to grab hold of the resurrection and the life. The Anastasis and the Zoe. Restoration of body and fullness of spirit. Jesus’ life brought about the Kingdom rule of God, no longer a place to die to… but a life to lean into.
Outro (10 seconds)