The literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Christian faith. It doesn't matter which denomination or slant you derive your Biblical understanding from, Easter Sunday is a big deal. It is perhaps, the biggest deal. In my humble opinion, it is even more important than Christmas and Good Friday. It is the key to understanding how we fit into God's overarching view of salvation, eschatology, and theology. The resurrection of Christ is like God's approval stamp on the life and ministry of His son. It's akin to the angels in Heaven announcing through a megaphone: "God has come into the world, and you need to listen to Him!"
If we think
back and imagine other historical events that shaped history, it's easy to see
how timelines can overlap and build upon each other. Take for example,
the invention of the printing press in the Middle Ages. This incredible
machine was responsible for reproducing the Bible for others to read and pass
down through the generations. Today, this amazing book has been
translated into roughly 736 languages across the globe. Imagine the
impact this has had on faith conversions and evangelism. Regular everyday
people can now read the Bible for themselves, without depending on a bishop or
cardinal to interpret the Scriptures for them. It revolutionized our
faith.
In the same
way, Easter Sunday is our annual reminder that Jesus came to Earth, spread the
Gospel message, and then died and was resurrected to save us from our
sins. There is much less fanfare in our country over Easter than for the
Christmas shopping holiday, but the resurrection is no less important. If
it hadn't happened, churches would have nothing to talk about. They
would be more like social meetups or country clubs.
1 Peter 1:3
says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." And
dead in our sins we would be, if it wasn't for our Lord and Savior.
John Wesley
(founder of the Methodist faith) once said that he feared someday the church
would end up mimicking the appearance of spiritual fortitude, but without any
real power behind it. Some have argued that this is where many lukewarm
churches are today. Great music, entertaining liturgy, but not much of a
Gospel message. Churches that don't preach Christ crucified are in this
boat I think. And it's a comfortable boat: a lot like a cruise ship -
sailing through an ocean of lukewarm water. But it never actually reaches
a spiritual port or destination.
The captain
makes sure never to pilot the vessel into dangerous choppy water, so the
passengers don't know what fighting for their faith looks like. Just an
endless voyage in a comfortable floating bubble, guided by human beings and
politics instead of the Holy Spirit. For boats (and churches) like this,
Easter Sunday means just dinner with the family and maybe watching some sports
on television afterwards. Maybe some good praise band music at church if
they are lucky (if they attend service at all).
But for
Christ centered churches, the resurrection drives and motivates them.
It's like Superbowl Sunday for the faith. The sermon is important, and
the music exists to help drive home the Gospel message and assist us in
worshipping the Creator. These churches are repeating the megaphone
message from the angels: "Wake up world, and acknowledge the King
of Kings!"
So if you
attend church on Easter Sunday, remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on our
behalf, so that we could have eternal life. Ruminate on the notion that
Christ removed the sin barrier stopping us from reconciling with a Holy and
just Lord. And then, by all means, go home and enjoy dinner with the
family and some television afterwards. There may even be an egg hunt; but
not before you praised and worshipped God for the empty tomb. That
is what really matters.
.