Our Resurrecting Creating God
Movement 4: Resurrection
When God bends and remains in suffering he does not do so passively but redemptively. This redemption of God’s presence in suffering is possible because of his fourth act in this gospel story. After creating, reaching, and bending, God resurrects. In this fourth act he answers the question that has been plaguing creation since the first break in relationship. Death does not have the last word. In the resurrection of Jesus, God demonstrates that all relationships can and will be restored. He makes a way forward for those found in this world where suffering appears prevalent. It is this act that provides the power for the ways in which God has demonstrated his presence. His creating, his reaching, and his bending are powerful because he is Lord of all, even death. He is working to draw all back to his original intent and he can do it. How will he do this? Through resurrection power. Yet for many this power seems elusive. Where are the demonstrations of this power in moments of great pain? The answer is found woven throughout the entire gospel narrative for, as has been shown, it is a relational story of love. It is only love that can restore all broken relationships that underscore the suffering and pain faced by humanity. This powerful love compelled God to create all of creation to be in relationship with him. This love moved God to reach, to bend, and to resurrect and it is through this love that he will continue to move that all might be made whole.
Movement 5: Create Again
It is important to understand that the gospel story does not end with the resurrection of Jesus. If it did, many could make the argument that the resurrection was not as powerful as the church declares it to be, for even after Christ rose from the grave, suffering continued. Today, broken relationships still lead to destruction. Yet, God’s love remains, and just as his love compelled him to create, reach, bend, and resurrect, it is propelling him to create again. He is working even now to restore all ruptured relationships that plague humanity. His promise is that he will restore the original design portrayed in the creation story, wiping away every tear. The beauty of this good message is that it comes with an invitation to all who embrace it. Humanity is to join God in the moves of creating, reaching, bending, and resurrecting. This is how they are restored. As Brian Zahnd says, “Salvation is a restoration project, not an evacuation project.” The good message of a God who creates out of relational love is that it reminds all who embrace it that as image bearers they were created for whole relationships. The good message of a God who reaches to his people is that it reminds all who respond to his reach that they too are designed to extend themselves to others. The wonder of a God moved by compassionate love to bend to be with his people is that it compels all who experience his presence in suffering to seek to bend to be with others in areas of great darkness. The power of a resurrected God who stands over death is that it lives in all who declare Jesus is Lord allowing them to join him in the act of new creation. By joining God in this work of restoration, humanity embraces the most beautiful aspect of the gospel story; it is still being written.
