Stewards of the Storyline

Greeks came to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration according to John 12.  They wanted to meet Jesus, however He told His disciples, "Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.  But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives." (John 12:23-24 - NLT)  Jesus continues:  "And I, when lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)  Jesus drew us to Himself through His death and resurrection.  His intent is that we are to be a part of His storyline.
 
At the moment of the death of Jesus, the earth shook, rocks split, and tombs broke open.  When the centurion and others who were guarding Jesus saw these events they exclaimed, "Surely He was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54)  Indeed, He is and proved His identity through His resurrection on the Jewish celebration called "Firstfruits."  This was the traditional day of giving of the Law on Mount Sinai and the giving of the firstfruits of the barley harvest in the spring.  Jesus became the firstfruits from the dead.  Here is how it is explained in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22:  "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."
 
Jesus came to the earth to show us how to live.  His disciples learned to live like their master.  Our identity is likewise in Him.  Just as God gave His best for us, we must give our best for others.  In this way we honor God, and He reveals to us our own unique destiny.  We are part of the storyline of Jesus as we identify with His selflessness and love.  We have been called, along with the Body of Christ, to redeem the wrecks of time.  Our lives are part of a bigger story and have been united with other Believers in Christ.
 
As we accept the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins, we become part of the family of God by the power of His resurrection.  A hard concept to understand is that God has chosen to do His work on the earth in partnership with us.  True, each of us has a unique call, however we have also been woven together like a piece of fabric with other Believers so that we can accomplish His divine plans and purposes.  That fabric includes not only our present generation, but those who have gone before us and those who will come after us.
 
Matt Lockett and Will Ford wrote about the connection of the ages in their book The Dream King.  Will writes, "In Christ, my stories are your stories, and your stories are mine.  Remember, as Christians we share the same heritage.  Our collective history is made from a diverse yet unified remnant...Jesus ever lives to make intercession so that you and I, as His family members, can together shape the future with Him...Through Him, a new remnant is both healing history and making history." (Page 32)  Matt agrees with Will:  "This fabric of our lives and families creates the backdrop for the nations and the times in which we live...God watches over our destinies, watches over our nation, and invites us to shape the future with Him through prayers." (Page 42)  Matt calls us "The Stewards of the Storyline," not only of our biological family, but also of our Christian family.
 
Today is Resurrection Sunday.  With gratitude we should allow this day to inspire us to be healing agents of the generations and planters of seed that will bear good fruit for the blessing of the nations.  Our Savior showed us the way.  Let us follow Him!