Looking at my Christian seasons calendar, I love how it describes Easter:
"Our high holy time culminates in Easter, a 50-day celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.... The significance of the resurrection to the church is shown in Easter's weekly celebration on each Sunday, and in the yearly feast day of Easter and in the 50-day season of Easter. It is a season of great astonishment and joy.... The season ends with the day of Pentecost when the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church is celebrated."
Easter is not just a day, or even a week. It's a season! During these seven weeks, I want to not only think about the significance of the resurrection, but to experience it in my own heart and life.
One of the lectionary texts for today is John 20:19-31. At this point, Jesus had been crucified, and the tomb was empty, but the passage opens with the disciples together in a room, and the doors locked because of their fear. That's when Jesus appeared.
I'd like to say the disciples were being foolish, but I have to admit it makes sense to me. I think of the emotional roller coaster they'd been on -- the excitement of the Triumphal Entry, the despair of the crucifixion, the uncertainty about the empty tomb, the fear behind their locked doors, the joy of seeing the resurrected Christ. It's no wonder Thomas doubted.
And I love Jesus' response. He met Thomas where he was, and offered himself -- not an idea or an argument -- as evidence. And, interestingly, we don't see Thomas taking Jesus up on the offer. He simpy reacted to the person of Jesus, the One he knew: "My Lord and my God!"
Jesus isn't afraid of our questions. He provides just enough to meet our needs, then allows us to take the last step toward him in faith.
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Resurrection Sunday
John 20 contains an account of the resurrected Jesus. Mary Magdalene saw the stone removed from the tomb, and ran to tell Simon Peter and (probably) John. Those two explored the situation first. When they left, Mary was left crying outside the tomb. That's when she encountered Jesus.
She didn't know it was him, though, until he spoke her name. After all, who would have expected Jesus -- the one whose death she had watched a few days before -- to show up and start talking to her?
What captures my heart today is Jesus' response: "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'" (emphasis mine).
What a statement!
Take a look at what Paul said about this: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.... For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:1,15-17)
Easter is central to the Christian faith, because through the death of Christ we have forgiveness of sin, and through the resurrection of Christ we have amazing hope. These are available to all people -- absolutely everyone! -- who believe Jesus, confess their need for him, and invite him into their lives.
If you have reason to celebrate this hope, then celebrate like crazy today. And if you don't yet know Christ, take this opportunity to meet him. If you're not sure, and would like to talk more about what this means, I'd love to talk with you.
Happy Easter!
She didn't know it was him, though, until he spoke her name. After all, who would have expected Jesus -- the one whose death she had watched a few days before -- to show up and start talking to her?
What captures my heart today is Jesus' response: "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'" (emphasis mine).
What a statement!
Take a look at what Paul said about this: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.... For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:1,15-17)
Easter is central to the Christian faith, because through the death of Christ we have forgiveness of sin, and through the resurrection of Christ we have amazing hope. These are available to all people -- absolutely everyone! -- who believe Jesus, confess their need for him, and invite him into their lives.
If you have reason to celebrate this hope, then celebrate like crazy today. And if you don't yet know Christ, take this opportunity to meet him. If you're not sure, and would like to talk more about what this means, I'd love to talk with you.
Happy Easter!
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