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Resurrection as Faithfulness – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen

May 17, 2014 By Jean Wise

Resurrection

The resurrection does not solve our problems about dying and death.

It is not the happy ending to our life’s struggle,

nor is it the big surprise that God has kept in store for us.

No, the resurrection is the expression of God’s faithfulness….

The resurrection is God’s way of revealing to us that

nothing that belongs to God will ever go to waste.

What belongs to God will never get lost. 

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Don’t you love how Nouwen brings our attention to the idea that resurrection focuses on God’s faithfulness? God keeps his promises despite our facing death and dying, struggles and unexpected turns in life. Resurrection shows us that God is in everything and he uses all things to his good.

The last sentence says it all – “What belongs to God will never get lost.”  Amen!

Here is one more quote about resurrection from Henri Nouwen:

“The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. Jesus didn’t rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement, or to prove to those who crucified him that he was right after all.

Jesus rose as a sign to those who had loved him and followed him that God’s divine love is stronger than death.

To the women and men who had committed themselves to him, he revealed that his mission had been fulfilled.

To those who shared in his ministry, he gave the sacred task to call all people into the new life with him.

The world didn’t take notice. Only those whom he called by name, with whom he broke bread, and to whom he spoke words of peace were aware of what happened.

Still, it was this hidden event that freed humanity from the shackles of death”

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Comments

  1. Mia says

    May 17, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    Dear Jean
    The resurrection of Jesus is the most wonderful news of all time. Oh, our Pappa God surely does not waste anything; Jesus comes and live His resurrection Life in and through us by His grace as we allow Him!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 17, 2014 at 7:55 pm

      Nouwen has such a different dimension to the resurrection in these words. Made me stop and ponder them.

  2. blankCeil says

    May 17, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    Hi Jean! As you know, I love Nouwen. He has such a down-to-earth and self-revealing way of writing. My summer study group is doing The Return of the Prodigal Son. (I suggested it of course!)
    What a different way at phrasing the Resurrection. I do think most of us feel that Jesus’ death and rising means only that we are saved. But he brings in faithfulness too. God faithfulness to us, which I do need to remember. How encouraging to know that I will never be lost…
    Blessings on your weekend my friend!
    Ceil

    • blankJean Wise says

      May 17, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Nouwen is my favorite. Can’t top his writing!The Prodigal son book is powerful!!

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