On this Easter Monday, for the US readers, the bunny has retreated to its unknown whereabouts, for the Belgians amongst us, the church bells have returned from Rome and for everyone, we’re stuffed with chocolate. And I would like to extend this season with just a couple of days and reflect on what Easter is all about.
But first, I’ll admit. I have a problem with Easter.
Perhaps it’s worthwhile to re-read the title for a second. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
What did the title say ? “My problem with Easter”. Not “My problem of Easter”. And there is a big difference. If we’re talking about the problem of Easter, I would expect one to write about how unlikely the actual resurrection story really is. Or how we can’t trust the gospel accounts. How there’s discrepancies, how come these things like people being raised from the dead just don’t happen and how therefore we can’t really believe Christ was raised. Or perhaps how crucial and central the resurrection really is to our faith. As Paul said:
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. … And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Cor 15:14-17)
And it is quite likely is that you have been swamped in the last several days or weeks with a slew of emails, blog entries, facebook postings and any other means of social media about the trustworthiness of the gospel accounts, the veracity of the resurrection and the importance of understanding who Christ really was. The History Channel went through its annual cycle of “The Real Jesus”, “The missing 40 days” and all the other documentaries explaining the problems one may have with the events we commemorate at Easter.
This time, I’d like to talk about something different. I am assuming, right or wrong, that you have come to accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ as historical fact. Or at least as the best possible given explanation of what happened almost 2,000 years ago to a Jewish prophet and the impact that even had on His followers. What I would like to reflect upon is, given that we believe the resurrection as true and that it is indeed of the utmost importance and centrality to the Christian faith, what I struggle with is the follow up question. “So what?”.
If Christ is raised from the dead and is alive and with us, here and now. What does one do with that ? If Christ is the proclaimed Messiah, how do we react to that ? If His Kingdom has indeed come and He rules, what do I do with that ?
The ultimate message of the resurrection is one of awesome power, glory, majesty, hope and encouragement.
If the message of Easter is true, if the message is one that our Lord is alive and well, here and now, and is with us each and every day, there is no hiding. One cannot go on with his or her daily life as if nothing happened and commemorate this event one day a week. This is a message that should impact my daily life fundamentally. It should impact my life to be one of tremendous joy, comfort, trust, hope and love. And it is a message that should not only inspire but instill in me a desire to share, comfort, care for, love and uplift those around me. It is a message that should deeply guide the way I look at life around me and how I behave. Where I put my values and efforts. Where I look for Him. Do I look for Him on Sunday at Church ? Do I look for Him in my fellow believers ? Or do I see Christ in the people around me ? Even those that don’t believe ? In the co-worker who’s nagging me ? Or even more apt, do the people around me see Christ in me ? This message of power, glory and hope, is such that it should impact our daily lives. If it doesn’t, I wonder if we really have come to believe and accept it as truth.
I was reminded of a question once asked of GK Chesterton: “If the risen Christ suddenly appeared and showed up and stood behind you, what would you do”. His prompt and succinct answer came quickly: “He is”.
The question we as Christians should ask is not “What would you do IF…”. Our behavior should make those around us ask the question “Why ?” and we can answer “Because He is risen and He is here”.
Now that would be a message and witness. And as I reflect on that message and my daily response, or usually the lack thereof, I realize how I am a sinner in constant need of a savior. Just like His Kingdom I am “already …. but not yet”.