Read: Philippians 3:1-11
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. (v. 10 NRSV)
The scope of consequence that Christ’s life has on our lives is all-encompassing, and in today’s Bible reading Paul warns us not to miss the center, the source: “I want to know Christ.”
To know. The same language is used to describe Adam knowing his wife (Gen. 4:1). This knowing, then, is not just a mental exercise; instead it’s an intimacy closer than marriage in which Christ is the groom and his church the bride. Hear it again: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.” Christ is the way, the only way to resurrection, to ultimate meaning, to everlasting life.
The way of Christ is not an escape plan from an otherwise miserable world, but a reframing of our lives in this world now because we’re looking forward to the next world. The power of Christ’s resurrection gets enacted in our world now because we’re no longer left to crawl around mindlessly trying to make a life for ourselves, build a life for ourselves, make meaning for ourselves. Ultimate meaning, true value, and real purpose are found in the Father, revealed in Christ, and made available by the Spirit. Hear it one more time: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.” Our lives here and now matter deeply to God, and should matter to us, but we can hold them loosely because our real purpose, our real value, our real meaning is found in knowing Christ and Christ alone.
As you pray, ask Christ to reveal himself to you that you might know him more.
Co-authored by Rev. Jon Brown and Justin Kuiper.
Jon Brown is the lead pastor of Pillar Church in Holland, Michigan. Jon loves preaching and loves walking with people through all of life’s circumstances. He loves to invite people to follow Jesus in community on mission. Jon and his beloved wife, Kristyn, are the proud parents of four daughters.
Justin Kuiper is a student from Holland, Michigan, studying English literature at Hope College. His own writing explores the many intersections of faith, storytelling, and the created order.
