Dead to the World

My pastor’s voice rang out with passion this Easter Sunday asking us a question that God was burning in his heart. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

His reference was from Luke. Luke 24 to be exact. Here the women had gotten up early in the morning and were entering into the tomb where Jesus was laid so that they could prepare his body properly. However, what they found was an unexpected situation. The stone to cover the tomb had been rolled away and as they entered in, they found no body to take care of. Instead two men who stood in shining garments greeted them. The men asked of the women “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, “The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then, they remembered His words and left to tell everyone what had happened. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

His voice questioned us again. Jesus has risen. He is not dead! Yet, sometimes as Christians, we act as if we are trying to seek living things among the dead. In other words, we claim that we are living for Christ, yet we fill our hearts and minds with things of this world that bring forth no life. Television shows portraying men as inferior to women or brainless, shows all about seeking revenge or living lives that go against God, music that has a great beat but the words send an alternate message, and several other things could be added to the lists.

As he continued to speak, a question formed in my own mind. Why do we continue to seek the living (Directions to living a Christian life) among the dead (The world and it’s ways)? Why is it that when answers need to be found right now, people go and find the person they know will give them what they want to hear instead of seeking answers from the one who created life?

Why is it that there are so many people out there who claim to be Christians yet they live their life in the world and then wonder why they are so miserable. They are living a double life. One that does not allow them to enjoy the freedom that Christ has delivered to them.

On one hand, they say, “Yes, I am a Christian” but on the flip side, they have nothing in their actions to show they are a follower of Christ. They may be hypocritical. For example, I know of many people who claim to be a Christian but they live off of idle gossip, which glorifies them, and spreads like wildfire out of control manipulating their lives to discredit others. Those are people who are seeking the living among the dead.

Or, think on this. Ever heard of Christians who are supposed to be content in all situations, yet in every situation, all they can do is complain? Are they not seeking the living among the dead?

Maybe you find yourself agreeing to any or all of the above situations. Maybe you are able to recognize that you have been seeking the living among the dead.

This is the beauty of the message that my pastor continued to pour into our hearts. Jesus is all about giving new life! He does not want us to stay hanging out in the tomb because he is not there! He is out among the living bringing new life to those who seek Him.  He loves it when we seek after him. Living a Christian life is a two-way relationship. We seek him. “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him. If you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4: 29) and He pursues us.

May we truly understand that God’s sacrifice of his one and only son was not done in vain, but was given to us so that we may have new life. May we no longer seek the living among the dead, but instead may we be seeking the dead who are desperate for new life in Him.