Now at their being affrighted and inclining their faces to the earth, they say to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?" He is not here, but was roused. Be reminded how he speaks to you, while still being in Galilee
Lukes Account 24: 5-6, Concordant New Testament
I've seen a few signs around town lately which proclaim "Under new management." When I see signs lie these I immediately think of one thing, that the old is gone and that someone new has taken over. I think that it's safe to say during this Easter season that we, too, are under new management. This has been assured us through the work of Christ Jesus on the cross. One of my favorite passages of scripture comes as the women arrive at the empty tomb of Jesus early that morning. There they encounter the angels, who inquire "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?" {Lukes Account 24:5}. For these women, who only a few days before had more than likely witnessed the death of Jesus on the cross, this had to be a confusing question. Jesus is alive? Not only is Jesus alive and well, but our life is now lived within Him {Johns Account 14:20}. For all intents and purposes, we're now under new management. That which was, is no more. I was reminded of this the other day when a good friend forwarded me a video from the self-proclaimed "Worlds most outspoken bible scholar" Martin Zender. In this video, Zender goes over the uselessness of the so called sinners prayer. Why is this important? Because this goes to the core of why Jesus Himself, being innocent, was made the sacrifice for what we had done {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. So, if Jesus has died to take away the sin of the world, why do we still need that prayer of the sinner? Are we still to be seen as sinners in the eyes of God? After all, those within the church will repeatedly quote the words of the apostle Paul and proclaim that ALL have indeed sinned {Paul to the Romans 3:23}. But this is where their knowing of the scriptures often ends. For they ignore the words Paul in the following passage which proclaims that we are no longer sinners, but "Justified gratuitously" through the grace of Christ Jesus {Paul to the Romans 3:24}. We're under new management.
As far as the new management sign goes, I would omit that entirely. Those within the church will have us believe that our sin needs to be managed. That it has somehow separated us from God. Both of these statements are lies spoken by the church. For how can we manage something which Jesus has already died to {Paul to the Romans 6:10}? Will Jesus tell us that we need to manage our sin? Where in the scriptures is it written that Jesus requires this of us? It isn't, because Jesus has already done away with it! We no longer live in what was, but that which is. What remains is the forgiveness and grace of the Father. Those within the church would have us believe that Jesus intentionally missed a few sins before dying on that cross. That despite His sacrifice, sin still remains. Martin Zender comments that Jesus should very well have recited the sinners prayer as He hung on that cross. That way, there would have not been any sin left which to forgive, right? It doesn't work that way. For Jesus Himself is that propitiation for that which once convicted us {First Epistle of John 2:2}. As He hung on the cross, He proclaimed "It is accomplished!" {Johns Account 19:30}. Jesus knew and understood that His purpose here on earth had been fulfilled. There was nothing more for Him to do. Sin has been put to death through the sacrifice of the innocent {Paul to the Romans 6:11}. We no longer need that sin management because there is no longer any sin to manage. What remains is to live within the forgiveness and love of the Father.
And He is the propitiatory shelter concerned with our sins, yet not concerned with our only, but concerned with the whole world also
First Epistle of John 2: 2, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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