DEATH OF A VISION – OR WAS IT?

“Let your life be a stepping stone to Christ and not a stumbling block.” 1 Cor. 8:13 & 10:31

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify God who is in heaven." Matt. 5:16

Death of A Vision – Or Was It?

By Robert J. Tamasy

Imagine being a member of the executive leadership team for a cutting-edge, innovative company developing revolutionary new technology with the potential to change millions of lives. The organization’s CEO is a magnetic, visionary individual whose infectious energy has everyone primed for an incredibly productive future.

As part of the research and development strategy, the CEO travels to a Third World nation. This technology, he has emphasized, must have universal applications, regardless of cultural differences. His tests completed, the CEO’s return flight is moments from takeoff when an earthquake strikes the tiny nation. A huge fissure opens on the runway, hurtling the accelerating plane wildly into the air before it crashes. No passengers survive.

The earthquake has disrupted communications from the nation, but small bits of news filter out. The company’s other executives are grieved and panic-stricken upon hearing reports that all aboard their leader’s flight had died. Without him their mission seems suddenly aborted, hopes dashed. The huge global need remains, but the CEO had been the keeper of the vision, the one to lead the charge into the future. Now he is gone.

Two days after the crash, however, communication from the island nation to the outside world is restored. Within hours they learn the CEO, unexpectedly detained, was not on the flight after all. He is alive and well.

An event similar to this occurred actually more than 2,000 years ago in a region of the world we are all familiar with: The Middle East. A humble leader named Jesus had attracted a considerable following. Enthusiasm was high; his followers had great expectations about what they could accomplish under his leadership.

Suddenly those dreams were shattered on a hill called Golgotha near Jerusalem, where Jesus was crucified on a crude wooden cross, as religious leaders of that day shouted hearty approval. His followers – his disciples – scattered, overcome by despair and confusion. The cause, they believed, was lost.

That was a Friday. The following Sunday morning, however, dawned with startling news: The tomb that held the body of Jesus was empty. Witnesses had seen and spoken with him. Alive? How could it be? In the coming days, Jesus appeared to each of his loyal followers. He had risen from the grave; the mission he had initiated was rekindled. In fact, today – more than 20 centuries later – the cause of Christ advances stronger than ever.

Today, what began with a small handful of disciples has grown into a worldwide movement, countless millions of people continuing to carry the banner of Jesus Christ and His timeless, life-changing message. This week, on April 14, followers of Jesus all around the globe will observe Good Friday, commemorating His death, and on Easter, April 26, they will celebrate His resurrection. Consider just a few observations from the Bible:

  • “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)
  • “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
  • “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:14-22).

This is truly good news, for the business and professional world as well as for every other area of life.

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.

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