Tomorrow is a day that millions upon millions of Christians will be in celebration. Not because they get to eat chocolate from a bunny with a basket, but because the culmination of God's plan from the beginning of time will climax in Jesus Christ' resurrection from the dead. This time in history is so critical and is the crux of the gospel message. Just ask Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: 12-18: if the resurrection didn't happen then our "preaching is useless, our faith is useless, we are false witnesses, there is no hope beyond this life for death has not been defeated and we are still in our sins."
Not only that but the death and resurrection is also the main driving force behind our transformation and conformation as a people and church to Christ (or at least should be). For example:
"If we believe that we have died with Christ then we will live with Him"...(Romans 6:8)
"Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24)
"Be imitators of God...and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us..." (Eph. 5:1-2)
Constantly Scripture points to the newness of life we have in Christ, because of His death and resurrection we are made new, made alive as Paul says in Ephesians 2 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
This not only excites me and even brings tears to my eyes knowing that a God would love me that much, go through all that pain, agony, rejection so that I would grasp how much he loved me (see Paul's prayer in Eph. 3:14-21 and Romans 8:31-42). Such a simple concept yet so difficult to grasp sometimes in our busy schedules, our desires, our goals.
This Easter also brings up emotions of sadness. Not sadness in the sense of Jesus dying, or being tortured, though the emotions of excitement as stated earlier come with this price and realization. I pray that every person that steps into the church this Sunday takes a hard look at themselves. Pastors, deacons, lay leaders and members of the whole body: the church. Because what happens during this time of year is very similar to X-mas, an over produced or under produced life. Let me tell you what I mean:
1. The person who has been never missed church their whole life, sat in the same place, does their duty of paying the tithe, prays and goes home. Yet there is no regeneration, no radical love, no service, nothing outside of a Sunday service.
2. The person who has given their life to Christ, struggles, doubts, fights for joy, serves in their church, uses their gifts and talents, who tries to walk as hard as they can with Christ, failing, but repentant, forgiven and keeps running.
3. The person who thinks (though not consciously) that if they show up once or twice (three of four or even fives times---BTW if your keeping a tally of how often you go to church you probably have other issues) a year that action will fulfill the "go to heaven criteria" because they were a good person and showed up. It says I am giving God one day of my life which constitutes a life lived for Christ.
I hope and pray that churches, like ours who triple their attendance this Easter, will do so because people are seeking this Risen Lord, who changes hearts, breaks the toughest people, and loves loves loves loves his children unconditionally. I pray that we see new faces because they are seeking the heart of God. They want fellowship through the gathering of believers. And yes these 3 types are in churches all year round, but I find that the "holidays" bring more out of the woodwork.
This is my point: Surely the death and resurrection of Christ warrants more than our petty religious actions! Surely the cross demands more than simply showing up one time and saying look I did it. (Plus when you stand before God do you really want to start out with: Well I did come that one time in 2011.) Surely the magnificence of Christ' glory and resurrection moves us more than putting money in a plate or sitting in our "spot" at church for the last 50 years. Certainly more than our religious language and talk or what we think as being "good enough" to please God. Surely the cross demands that we celebrate the resurrection in our lives all year!
I hope this Easter (like X-mas) reminds us (Christians) of what we are here for. What our mission and our purpose on earth is: to display God's glory daily through EVERYTHING we do, so that people will see our lives, our deeds and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12). To expand the kingdom through Christ-like living, Christ-like service, Christ-like speech, and Christ-like death to self.
Have a Happy Easter
Be Blessed
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