31.March.24

Everyone has a life map and today as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us think about whether this event has changed the direction of our life map. Our maps cannot go beyond the years of our lives. But the map that Jesus gives us through His resurrection, is different. The question is, which map do we hold onto and follow?

1. The disciples’ map saw the grave, the tomb as a dead-end

The disciples thought the cross was a dead end. But Jesus’ resurrection brought them a new map and a new beginning. From then onwards, the disciples went forward to spread the good news that Jesus is alive, even in the face of threats and dangers of martyrdom. Before Jesus’ resurrection, the cross stopped them, but after Jesus resurrected, nothing did. Likewise, if we receive the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we will too have received a new beginning of life, hope, strength and joy.

Our earthly map ends with death, but the map that Jesus gives leads only to eternal life. Having this new map will change how we view our present life and beyond. Heaven will become our reality instead of this earthly realm. Those who realise this, like Jesus’ disciples, will be able to see the kingdom of God on their map (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Take the example of John D Rockefeller. He earned his first 1 million dollars around 100 years ago at the age of 33 and became the wealthiest person in the USA at 53 years old. He grew up poor. His first job was delivering newspapers, earning $1.50 weekly. His mother taught him to tithe 10% to God which he did. Later he wrote in his autobiography, that he tithed every penny he had ever earned because of his mother’s teachings. His mother taught him to see the bigger map of God from a young age, that there was a higher will and purpose for his life. Later he did not tithe just 1/10th but more and more 2/10th, 3/10th, 4/10th because he saw a bigger world on his map and knew he could not reach the end of that map on his own. He further wrote in his biography: I never would have been able to tithe the first million I had ever made if I had not tithed my first salary of $1.50 per week.

Later he was diagnosed with a rare disease called alopecia, which caused his hair to fall off and his skin to shrivel up. The doctors told him he only had 1 year to live. As a believer, he started to prepare for the end of his life and realised 1 Timothy 6:10 which says: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. He confessed that his love for money might have become greater than his love for God. He decided that with the little time he had left, he would do God’s work.

He started to establish medical research centres to research cures, saving many people’s lives and he gave for missions work to spread the gospel. He was 53 when he prepared to die. When he eventually died, he was 98. You might say, it is a coincidence. But according to his faith, whether he was 53 or 98 years old, he realized the purpose of his life and strove to reach the end of that greater map. May we all receive the new map that Jesus has brought us!

2. The disciples’ map did not have progression but regression

When Jesus died, all His disciples went back to their old lives, much like the Israelites in the wilderness who wanted to go back to Egypt. But after they received the new map from Jesus, the only way for them is forward. And Jesus was there, waiting (John 21:3-4). May God give us the map to show us the way forward to the kingdom of heaven! For when we can see, even when there is trouble, tribulations and persecution, we are able to continue forward. And Zion Church has been practising Acts 2:42-46, devoting ourselves continuously to the teaching of the Word, to fellowship and to breaking of bread and prayer. May Zion Church’s map contain the kingdom of God, and may we together always be progressing forward!

Conclusion

The new map of resurrection allows us to move forward. This map is not just about this world but is the map that will lead and allow us to experience the things above while we are living on this earth. My prayer is that Zion Church members will live in the kingdom of heaven on this earth. May we be able to experience the blessings of heaven every day in our daily lives! (Colossians 3:1-4) He will hide us from all trouble, all forces of Satan. It does not mean we won’t have challenges in this world but we have the assurance He is protecting and keeping us until that final day of glory.

AMEN.