All I Want

All I Want

“All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. Then there is hope that I myself will somehow be raised from death.” Philippians 3:10, 11

“All I want...”. It makes me think of the silly Christmas song, “All I Want for Christmas are My Two Front Teeth.” When the bite of winter is in the air and people are log-jamming their way through retail store aisles, we ask “What do you want?” Our middle son, Jonathan, is great at putting a very specific list together for us each year. I’m the worst. “Could I have a two-week vacation in Paris, please?” Of course, no one passing out gifts in my house has the resources to provide such a gift. I usually say, “You know, I’m not really sure.” So, our daughter buys me fashion, our oldest son; books or music, and Jonathan, well, I never know what he will give; but I’m always pleasantly surprised.

The Apostle Paul has a “want” list also, but it is not a Christmas list; although, his list would be meaningless if Christ had not been born. But his list focuses on Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. He knows that everything in life as drastically changed because of that one event.

Jesus’s teaching is astounding (if anyone is willing to actually give it some thought). His miracles were powerful. Yet, people could say that others have taught well, and miracles were wrought at the hands of the prophets.

Jesus predicted His own suffering and death, telling His disciples on more than one occasion that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31) On that dark, cruel and unjust Friday, Jesus was beaten, whipped, scorned, and finally crucified. Spikes were driven through His hands and feet, a crown of thorn piercing His head. His back shredded by the whippings, the rough wood rubbed against the wounds every time He tried to take the next agonizing breath.

But, others had died. Other great people had been tortured and executed. It would be easy to let Jesus’ memory fade once the cruelly battered body was laid finally in the tomb. But there was one more event to happen that weekend when death and sin met their roadblocks once and for all.

Sunday Morning three women approached the tomb where Jesus lay. There had not been time to fully prepare the body because the Sabbath was upon them. They knew well where to find His body; they watched as the large stone was rolled across the entrance once Jesus was buried. As they approached they saw the tomb’s mouth open in Divine surprise, the stone rolled to the side. An angel sitting upon the stone told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. On their way back to tell the disciples, who should they run into? The Resurrected Jesus! He encourages them to let the disciples know He is alive.

With many more proofs, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many others. Paul wants us to know that Jesus’ Resurrection changes everything in this world! Paul doesn’t simply say, “Ok, do you believe in Jesus?”

No, Paul wants to know Jesus. Dear ones, you cannot “know” a dead person! The proof that Jesus is God-in-Man is His resurrection from the dead. Jesus is alive this very moment. He is with you as you read these few words. He accompanies you on your way to work, or taking your family out to dinner. And, because He is alive, it changes us.

Well, the resurrection should change us. There is no such thing as “instant pudding” faith. Paul says “all he wants” is to know Jesus! What do you want this Easter? Paul declares all he wants is to know the power that raised Jesus from the dead. What do you want? Even more, Paul wants to share in Jesus’ sufferings, even becoming like Him in His death. He wants to be so close to Jesus that He feels, not only the power; oh, we all want the power, we crave the power. But to share in Jesus’ sufferings means we are willing to be completely misunderstood, if it comes to that, for knowing Jesus.

And, the last item of Paul’s “Easter list” is that somehow he will be raised from the dead. He is not expressing any doubt. But, in his humility, he leaves it all with loving Lord Jesus. What is your Easter list? How has your own world changed because of the Divine Surprise: Jesus, alive and waiting. May you know more than ever His power, understand better His suffering and death, and look forward to the resurrection from the dead!