Dear Friends,

Some United Methodists believe that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected bodily, literally, that for a short period of time before his ascension that his life was given back to him in the flesh, and that this confirms the triumph over death that we share with him. In a scientific age, many people are skeptical of the bodily resurrection. I read somewhere the sun uses more energy in an instant than has been generated by humans through the whole of human history. Now that is amazing! Then think about the power of the One who created the sun. A bodily resurrection seems pretty moderate stuff in comparison with the creation of the vast cosmos, with its uncountable galaxies and stars. Is raising the Body from death any more amazing than the creation of life out of the primordial soup?

Some United Methodiats believe that the bodily resurrection is symbolic, that a life like the life of Jesus Christ cannot be contained by the grave. Even today 2,000 plus years later his life has the power to raise up our lives, to give them meaning, to give us hope in a God of Love, to give new life in the midst of suffering. These folks' focus is a living Christ with us now. The Resurrection for them is a Spiritual event that raises our lives that we might know life abundant I remember a conversation I had with a friend in Seminary, who observed, "I bet that even if there had been a videotape of the resurrection, some people would NOT have been convinced of its reality." My friend's point is that it is not concrete evidence that ultimately calls folks to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. This leads to another question. If there is not a spiritual event to raise us to new life, does a belief in the literal resurrection of the body, or of the dead have any real power?

Some United Methodists don't know what they believe about the resurrection. It is a mystery. They trust that something, which can't be adequately explained in words, happened to the Disciples following the crucifixion. Some saw him, some saw only an empty tomb, some touched him (Mary and Thomas) some only sensed his presence in the words and in a shared meal with a stranger (the Road to Emmaus, Miraculous Catch of Fish). In all cases, the lives of the Disciples were changed by the encounter with a Living/Risen Christ. Some United Methodists believe that explanations are not needed. Jesus is Savior without completely understanding the resurrection. For these folks the life, death and teachings of Jesus may be as important for transforming lives as the resurrection.

It is easy to major in the minors. For instance, do we have to believe one of the above over the other to be truly Christian? I can relate to all of the described understandings of resurrection. None seems more or less adequate for faith. For me what is major league is love for and devotion to Jesus Christ, a desire to follow his way of compassion and forgiveness. What is major is to put God at the center of our lives. For me what is major is the encouragement given to a bedraggled band of earth folk by Jesus, who scripture tells us was there to cook breakfast for the Disciples on the beach, who came to them behind closed doors, came to fish with them and walk with them down the ordinary roads they traveled. For me what is major league is the effect Christ's life, death and resurrection has had on people. It can loosen the grip of death upon those who believe. It has the power to liberate people for a more expansive, risky, meaningful life and more inclusive love. I love the scripture that promises abundant life for all those who walk with Chirst.