Resurrection 12 Resurrection and the Heart

[HKHaugan]

The mind is the gateway to the heart. How we think will be processed in the heart. It is one thing to have a concept but still another to trust that concept to work. Trust is what takes place in the heart. We have a concept about God but the question is, do we trust Him? Jesus says it plainly, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jn.14:1).” There is a three-fold call here.

First, Jesus makes a blanket statement about humanity: all people have troubled hearts. Relational issues, economic insecurity, political unrest, health concerns, as well as life and death in general are everyday pressures on the mind and heart. Jesus calls us to face the fact that we are troubled, restless and unsure. He calls us to assess where we are spiritually, personally, interpersonally and physically.

Second, Jesus sees us all having some kind of idea about God. This is one of our biggest problems. One latest poll suggests that 86% of Americans believe in God. But who and what is God? That 86% is not definitive. There are a lot of pet, personal and private concepts out there. Are they effective in offering a spiritual and moral foundation for personal behavior? By observation we can see a radical difference in believing and trusting when you consider the social and moral condition of the country. Jesus calls us to consider Him as offering the ultimate personal relationship in which we can trust.

Third, Jesus is throwing a real challenge before the 86% when He says that trusting Him is trusting where the real God for the mind and heart is found. In essence what Jesus reminds us of here is that He is God the Son. Are we willing to trust Him as the revelation of God’s mind and heart? Are we letting Him open our minds to His presence, His way of thinking and His leading in the Spirit? He makes no bones about it when He says, “No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn.14:6).” Jesus calls us to let His mind and heart act through us.

The Resurrection secures the trust He calls for. Just as He trusted His Father and His Word and narrowed the playing field of life to the Cross as His way to the Father, so He calls us to do the same in regard to Him. We take up our cross of trust in Him. Life is measured on the scales of belief and trust. If we believe in our mind who Jesus is and trust Him in our heart in ‘every next moment’ as our personal companion then and only then does life make sense. It’s really about where we are in our hearts. The Resurrection is the foundation for belief in the mind and the guarantee for our heart trusting in His presence. What more can we ask?

Here’s Paul’s take on our response, “So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ (Col.3:1-4 The Message Bible).”

More…stay tuned………