Easter

 

What do I write and speak about at Easter? On the one hand it seems like everything that could possibly be said about the resurrection and it’s meaning for us has already been said in the Easter messages I’ve shared through the years. But every year, I find that Easter is fresh and new; that the resurrection never loses its fascination and wonder. I also find that what’s already been said can be joyfully said again and never seems dated or dull.

 

I’m wondering about your thoughts concerning Easter and the resurrection of Jesus. 

 

Here are a few of the perspectives I’ve approached it from:

--the way a Peter or a Paul must have experienced it—how it looked to them—how it changed them—why it became their rallying cry by which they changed the world.

--as the central event of the history of the human race. What could possibly be more important or earth shaking than this?

--as the ultimate foundation for hope. The hope that the human race needs most is hope for life beyond death—a reasonable, not pie-in-the-sky, assurance that there really is more than this life. If there really is more, then so much of the meaningless stuff of life can begin to make sense. The resurrection provides this.

--as the completion of the cross. The cross can’t stand alone. It is the cross/resurrection event, viewed as a single reality, that accomplishes mankind’s salvation. Without it the cross is a tragic event. With it, the cross is the reconciliation of the world to God.

--as the Ultimate Apologetic—the ultimate reason for believing. The historical evidence for the reality of the resurrection is so profound that it can still, 2000 years later, provide a reliable, objective, rooted-in-undeniable-fact, foundation for faith.

--Jesus as a living person. If He rose He’s there for us now.

--that God is the God of life, not death. Everything He does has LIFE written all over it.

 

All of these approaches, plus many more, are reflected in the words of holy scripture.

 

So let me ask you—what would you speak about if you were going to proclaim the Word next Sunday? Or other ways of asking the same question might be—is there something about Easter/resurrection that makes your heart take wings and soar?—what would you like the friends and relatives you’re trying to get to church on Easter to hear?

 

Yeah! As I wrote this my heart started jumping up and down, beginning to soar once again as it has on Easter for so many years. Can’t wait for next week!

 

Love,

 

Pastor Dave