Resurrection Hope
"I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25

From Easter to Pentecost, we will explore the mission implications of Jesus' "I am" statements from the Gospel of John.

On a recent plane flight, the stranger sitting beside me was engrossed in a book. Glancing at the text, I sensed it was some kind of New Age book. So, after a brief silent prayer, I asked him, "What's your book about?"

For the next half hour I listened to him describe his interest in reincarnation. Although he had been raised Roman Catholic, during his adult years he often read books and attended lectures that teach:

• Death isn't the end, because you will be reincarnated.
• Express love in this life, and you'll be blessed in the next reincarnation.

Then I paid him a compliment, "I see you know a lot about Hinduism and Buddhism."

"No," he answered with surprise, "I've never studied those religions."

"But the ideas you've shared with me are standard doctrines of Eastern religions."

"Well," he conjectured, "aren't all religions basically alike? My books all claim that Jesus Christ taught these things when He said, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).

That led us into further discussion about the identity of Jesus Christ. At one point I asked Him, "Jesus' greatest miracle was rising from the dead. What does that event mean to you?"

He answered, "It is the proof that reincarnation is true."

By now we had landed and had nearly taxied to our gate. Quickly, I tried to explain the difference between Christ's victory over the grave and reincarnation. Then I handed him my business card and said, "For years you've listened to teachers who claim they have the truth and who insist that Jesus agrees with them. I invite you to read the Gospels for yourself and ponder this simple question: Is the Jesus I find here a great spiritual master, who taught reincarnation, or is He the unique Son of God, who claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life? Phone me, if you ever want to chat about it."

I don't know if he will ever read the Gospels. But if he does, the Living Christ will encounter him there. The Holy Spirit will be calling him to faith. And if he believes, he will know a joy far beyond what reincarnation can offer.

At Buddhist funerals in Thailand, monks wave cloth fans inscribed with these words:
"You go, but you don't return.
You sleep, but you don't wake up.
You try to flee, but you can't escape.
There is no resurrection."

What kind of hope is that? None at all. So, we are bold to share Christ with people near and far, because He is exactly who He claimed to be--the Resurrection and the Life.

1. Do you know anyone who believes in reincarnation? Why do they?
2. How is Christian resurrection different and distinct from reincarnation? See John 11:17-27; Luke 24; 2 Tim. 1:10; and Heb. 9:26-28.
3. Study Luke 17:20ff to determine what Jesus meant when He said, "The kingdom of God is within you?"