Captivating through what's good

"He has given you a spacious land, lacking nothing". Judges 18:10.

Good Friday probably isn't a day most people, Christian or otherwise, would equate with the likes of big foot, the paranormal, flying saucers and the like, but Josh Retterer's Mockingbird piece, published this week, is a true gem in several respects regarding why such thoughts can and should be considered even as we reflect on the work of our astonishing saviour, not least, of course, because the cross is about the cosmic reconciling of things in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:20)... I feel an X Files reference coming on!

The article spoke volumes about two things in particular - our engagement with all of life because of grace (the example provided will give you a shock) and how that it so often best seen in our enjoyment of what we do.

My own studies this month have been about the nature of how the spiritual is inherent in the fleshly - food, clothing, nakedness, sex, marriage, and how all of these realms are given (creationally) and restored (redemptively) in the flesh of Jesus, given to the world that we might feed on the life He brings from heaven (which is the essence of grace).

When we partake of His broken body and shed blood, lifted up at the cross to reconcile heaven and earth, we are participating entirely in what we ruined being restored - paradise is regained here and only here, and that means we belittle and defraud God's full spending of Himself in Christ if we deny that all things are indeed His in that love.

The spacious land that Calvary opens is evidenced in the moment Christ cries "finished!", and the veil is rent and the graves are open (Matthew 27:51,52). The world, and all within it, cannot but respond to the victory the offering of His life brings.

So, this easter, truly revel and delight in the greatness of the life He bestows; enjoy and thereby show a foretaste of all that is coming through the exquisite abundance of the Almighty's love for our needy world.