When we consider our lives before God, we often talk about the necessity of Christ's death for our forgiveness.  He had to die or our death would never die!  The focus on "original sin" is necessary and whenever we fellowship around the Lord's Table we remember His death "until He comes."  It seems like we don't talk as much about original glory.  I think it is easier to talk about original sin because we are more experienced in sin than we are in glory!  We were made for glory!  We were designed to be in perfect relationship with and perfect reflectors of the Holy Creator God.  Sin tarnished the image.  This explains why we are like we are; in other words, this explains why we struggle so much to be what we know deep down we ought to be!  We want to be better looking, have better character, do better things etc but we find that "in us dwells no good thing."  This is why Jesus, the last Adam (see Romans 5) had to both die AND rise from the dead.  His resurrection not only revealed the fact that He is the Son of God and that the Father was satisfied with His work at Calvary, His resurrection conquered death and its effects for every man who believes.  His resurrection body is the first-fruit (proto-type) of what the restored image looks like.  If you want to know what the resurrection body will be like for believers, read about Jesus' post-resurrection appearances.  I think you will like it!  So, Jesus not only had to die, He HAD to rise from the dead to restore us to God's intention...for His glory and our eternal good.  Praise Him!!

"How in the world..." is usually followed by a problem we are facing that we cannot figure out. I have said it many times, especially in mechanical matters or in home repair. After what Jesus told the disciples about the world (John 15:18) they may have asked, "How in the world are we supposed to be fishers of men if they want to kill us?" It is a really good question given the response of mankind to God and the response of the religious community to the Incarnate Son. Mixed in this warning to the disciples we also find the answer to the question. Jesus reminded the disciples that the Helper would come when He had gone to His Father. The disciples were stressed out in their grief and probably could not think beyond the moment but Jesus was already looking beyond the cross, burial, resurrection and ascension to the expansion of His Kingdom through the power of the Spirit. God keeps taking powerful initiative to have a people for His Name and His glory.  As we will see Sunday, the Holy Spirit is not only with us, but He is also going before us. The Missio Dei (Mission of God) is now. Since God brought Adam and Eve out of hiding He has been drawing people to Himself. It is our privilege to say "yes" to His initiative and participate with Him in the process.