The next generation of British Tom Wright,
Paula Guder tells the story of resurrection!

Most books that deal with the resurrection of Jesus mainly focus on Jesus' journey to the cross, and only briefly mention the resurrection in the last chapter.
In such cases, it is easy to miss the organic flow of the Bible leading to Jesus' death, resurrection, ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
In fact, many Christians often commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus, but they often do not know how to commemorate the ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
An even bigger problem is that, unlike Jesus' death on the cross, it is not easy to grasp what meaning the resurrection, ascension, and descent of the Holy Spirit have for our faith and daily life.
Because it feels somewhat vague and abstract, it often seems distant from our lives.
Paula Guder, often called Britain's next Tom Wright, delves into the meaning of Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension to the earliest Christians, and what they mean for us today.
What does the resurrection mean to us? How does it relate to our daily lives? What does it truly mean to live a life of resurrection? Through this book, readers will fully understand and be moved by the true meaning of the resurrection.

To believe in the resurrection is to refuse to accept the world as it is.
It's a rejection of the idea that the world never changes and we should just accept it as it is.
Believing in the resurrection allows us to view the world from a long-term perspective, one that goes back to the resurrection and looks ahead to the end.
In what is happening now, we can recognize traces of resurrection and the end.
Moreover, believing in the resurrection not only changes our perspective on the world, but also the way we live in it.

--- p.28

All of this was accomplished through hospitality.
Earlier we saw how significant the transformation of these two men was through their encounter with Jesus on the road, and now we see that this transformation came about through hospitality.
We also discover that they only recognized Jesus when he performed the act of breaking bread (something he did repeatedly with his disciples throughout his life).
This is the crux of the story Luke tells.
The important shift in perception comes not only through Jesus' words but also through his actions.
But in fact, the act of breaking bread was possible because they first welcomed Jesus.
As the two men journeyed to Emmaus with Jesus, he explained the Scriptures to them and conveyed the indescribable richness of his interpretation.
But the meaning of this was only realized when they reached out to Jesus to provide him with food and shelter.
Only when they tried to give to Jesus could they truly receive what Jesus gave them.
This is the paradox of hospitality.
When you give, you receive.
When you meet a stranger, you find friendship.
Above all, when we meet the needs of strangers, we encounter Jesus.

--- pp.98~99

An interesting question here is why the two men on the road to Emmaus and Mary in the garden did not recognize Jesus when they saw him.
(Omitted) What is clear is that both the men on the road to Emmaus and Mary needed additional help to recognize Jesus.
For example, for the two men on the road to Emmaus, the act of hospitality through the breaking of bread was the opportunity for them to recognize Jesus.
And in Mary's case, she was able to recognize who Jesus was through his voice.
All this shows how unreliable our eyes can be.
It may be because it is easy and convenient to obtain information through our eyes, but we often jump to conclusions based on what we see.
Without giving other organizations a chance to catch up.
So sometimes what we need is to see not from an external perspective, but from an internal perspective.
--- pp.112~113

What is interesting is Jesus' response to Peter's expression of love.
We might expect a response like this: "Do you love me? Trust me," "Do you love me? Now stand by me when trials come," or "Do you love me? Now show your loyalty." Instead, Jesus' command turns Peter outward.
Peter's love is not connected to piety or worship toward Jesus, but to caring for Jesus' flock.
In modern society, the word love is almost exclusively associated with emotions.
The question “Do you love me?” demands an emotionally based answer.
But in the ancient world, emotions were certainly important, but not as important as actions.
If you look at the Bible, in many cases the command to “love” means to do something.
For example, in Romans 12:10, the command to “love” (“love one another tenderly”) is combined with a command to act (“in honoring one another, give preference to one another”).
The same is true here.
Peter must love Jesus not only through his emotions but also by caring for His sheep, that is, by feeding and nurturing people like a shepherd.

--- p.123

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35).
This fundamental Christian message is one we still struggle with.
Because it is against human nature to accept weakness over strength, failure over success.
Yet this very apparent contradiction lies at the heart of the Christian gospel.
To use 2 Corinthians 4:7, the light of Christ can shine properly only through broken and shattered earthen vessels.
A well-polished and properly glazed pottery vessel will trap light and simply tell people what a wonderful vessel it is.
For the light of Christ to shine through, the clay must be cracked.
One of the greatest challenges we face as Christians is to translate the teachings we just mentioned from our minds to our emotions and then to our actions.
Everything within us rejects weakness and failure.
But to live as a truly resurrected being means to live fully and joyfully as a broken and shattered earthen vessel.

--- p.147