As exciting as God’s invitation to dance with Him again is, our symphony of life does not end there!

Clifford and Baucom describe this fourth and final stage as the resurrection rondo and explain it this way:

“The cross is essential (but it) is not the re-creation for which we humans so yearn; alone, it does not restore God’s creation. It is the resurrection of Jesus that restores humanity according to the Creator’s divine design and regenerates God’s image within us. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the answer to humanity’s deepest longings!”

There is no doubt Paul understood the resurrection life as something to be experienced now by all Christians, based on what he says in today’s reading:

  • We have been delivered out of our old, dead life of sin and given new life in Jesus – now!
  • We have been raised with Jesus and given a seat with Him in the heavenlies – now!

Our hope of heaven and eternal life is not just something far off into the future, after we die. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, eternal life is something we possess now, enabling us to live lives free from shame and to experience the restoration of God’s image in us.

This marvelous hope has the potential to affect every area of our lives – from the way we view ourselves, through to our marriages and other relationships and even the way we approach our work. The resurrection of Jesus is, as Clifford and Baucom suggest, “a magnificent, rollicking rejoinder” to the opening allegro of Genesis 1:26-27.

Living in the reality of this hope does not mean we will never experience moments of sadness or pain. But it does give those of us who have trusted in Jesus perspective. We can live confidently now because the risen Jesus lives in us, enabling us to face whatever life brings our way, as well as looking forward to being with Him in Heaven.

As Peter puts it, Now we live with great expectation!” (1 Peter 1:3)

Q. What area of your life needs to experience the resurrection rondo of Jesus?