Resurrection: A “Payback”?
Website design By BotEap.comLet me offer this angle in addition to the unlimited significance of the resurrection of Jesus. See the resurrection as a reward to the greatest volunteer the world has ever had. A precedence that can inspire millions of anonymous volunteers around the world. However, no matter how unsolicited this inspirational piece may seem to some. Others may not like this proposal. Volunteers will even protest the title. But certainly most will agree with the statement that Jesus is the greatest volunteer. So let’s start from this common ground and work out the differences later in this article.
Website design By BotEap.comBiblical writers have various descriptions of Jesus’ voluntary act. But I like the Pauline version in Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV): “In your mutual relations, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who, being God in his very nature, did not regard equality with God as something for his own benefit, but emptied himself by taking on the same nature. servant, made in the likeness of men. And being in the condition of a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, and death on a cross!“
Website design By BotEap.comThe Gospel records instances where Jesus insists on submitting to the voluntary process despite the supposed favor of the people who know him as the messiah. When John the Baptist seems reluctant to perform the ritual of baptism, Jesus convinces him: “Let it be so now, because that is how it is convenient for us to fulfill all justice.” (Matthew 4:14-15)
Website design By BotEap.comMany times, Jesus rebukes his disciples in their actions to seek redress for injustice and discrimination against their dignity. Unwelcome in his attempt to bridge the gap between warring cultures, he suffers discrimination in a Samaritan village. When James and John hint at punishment for the humiliating experience, Jesus forbids it. (Luke 9:51-55). Jesus calmly tells Peter to shut up, as the latter tries to fight off the savagery of his captors: “Do you think that I cannot invoke my Father, and that immediately he will place at my disposal more than twelve legions of Angel?”(Matthew 26:53)
Website design By BotEap.comHe washes the feet of his disciples at the height of the leading wrestling position during the Last Supper. Lobbying by John and James and their mother for a position in the kingdom could have caused the internal conflict. Therefore, no one seems willing to do the menial task before they like to take turns. Jesus volunteers.
Website design By BotEap.comJesus consistently exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism in his lifestyle and teachings. He willingly follows all the requirements of the law, although in some cases, he deliberately circumvents the unreasonable man-made insertion and imposition of God’s requirements. He successfully overcomes the final challenge in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Website design By BotEap.comSubsequently, divine justice speeds up the award ceremony for the world’s greatest volunteer. St. Paul beautifully uses this decisive factor for the narrative of Jesus’ voluntary act: That is why God exalted him to the highest and gave him a name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, on earth and in the depths, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)
Website design By BotEap.comI’m not advocating the pay mentality. The Bible abhors the practice of giving favor or doing service. Jesus even issues a strange rebuke to the perpetrators and perpetuators of this type of mentality in Luke 14:12-14. “When you give a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and you will be rewarded. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, YYou will be hurt Even if they can’t pay you, you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just “.
Website design By BotEap.comCertainly volunteers do not expect rewards. The last parable of the Gospel of Matthew (25,31-46) confirms it with the scenario of great surprises. In the end, during the award ceremony, as the chaff is separated from the grain, the sheep and goats are divided, the result exceeds expectations. But the volunteers get their rewards.
Website design By BotEap.comIt is true that volunteers do not expect prizes. But who can question the divine justice of God to reward the faithful? Is there something wrong with seeing the resurrection as payment for volunteering?