We are now in Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter in the Church calendar. This is a special time, so I encourage you to create space in your schedule to reflect on the good news that Christ triumphed over evil, establishing a new relationship between God and our world.
Theologically, this work is known as Christus Victor. What a joy to know that Christ secured our freedom over evil through his death, burial, and resurrection. What does this mean personally? It is a reminder that there is no aspect of our lives where we should feel oppressed. God is bigger than any circumstance that we experience. Past failures no longer have power over us, as the Christian life is never about perfection. Instead, as the people of God, we are measured by the pursuit of faith and obedience. Christus Victor means the value of our life rests in the love of God.
Christus Victor serves as the foundation for World Impact’s belief that the poor can own and lead their own lives and ministry. Those who live in the condition of poverty face oppression from all sides, yet we serve as a countermeasure representing the good news of the Gospel and empowering those historically confined to the shadows of society. They are key to bringing life and vitality to the city they live in. We are here to remind people that Jesus boldly framed Christus Victor from his hometown of Nazareth, which was like the hood. Remember, Nathanael was shocked when he heard Jesus was from there and wondered out loud if anything good could come out of such a place. And what did Christ say? Luke 4:18-19 states:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
We don’t live in this world or support World Impact by happenstance. We follow in the footsteps of Christ, living out our calling among those who the world doesn't see as valuable. We know where our help comes from! And we’ll live our lives accordingly, leading others to Christ. That is the ultimate endgame of Holy Week.
