I was telling The Girl yesterday about how it worries me that we get caught up in the minutia of the holidays and forget the true meaning of why we celebrate. As I saw hundreds of children dig around for eggs, I couldn't help but wonder if they would ever get to know the meaning of Easter. This worry compounded itself when I heard, time and time again, questions on what I was doing for Easter. Many of my friends were traveling to be with friends and/or family. Dinners were planned. Parties were planned. I hope the meaning of it all is not forgotten.
If you don't fully believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, then let's just stick to the facts. Jesus was a wise man who led multitudes into lives of service and understanding of each other. He did not discriminate, making disciples out of even the most "unwanted". He was condemned by the Jewish leaders of his time because of his teachings (which went against established Jewish doctrine and some established Jewish laws). The rulers of Judea at the time, the Romans, carried out a death sentence on Jesus on or about the time of the Jewish Passover Holiday. Three days later, Jesus appeared to his disciples and to hundreds of people (a few days after his first appearance). He seemed unharmed by the crucifixion.
Historically, thousands of people died for their belief that, indeed, Jesus did rise from the dead to fulfill a promise. Even the Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christians before coming to believe himself, serves as a historical reference in what happened those days. They were strange days, indeed. A whole new way of thinking, one that put God in a direct relationship with His creation, was born.
For those of us who believe in all of this, Easter is a time of contemplation, more than celebration. We think and pray on the meaning of a promise fulfilled and how many promises we have yet to fulfill... And how far we are willing to go to fulfill them. Jesus was crucified, a manner of death most gruesome, to fulfill his promise. The Romans did not fool around when they crucified someone. It doesn't matter how much people say that Jesus did not die on the cross. Historical and archaeological evidence shows that He did. He must have. The Romans did not fool around, and they saw Him as a threat.
Passover, Easter, and other celebrations seem to coincide with the coming of Spring, so many people will tell you that Easter is nothing more than a celebration of life. It is. But these folks will throw in eggs and bunnies (symbols of fertility) to take away from the life we were given on that day about 2,000 years ago. Many don't do it on purpose. Some do. And the many that don't get the true message are what worries me. Like Christmas and other holidays, Easter has become political, commercial. I saw this as I drove by an "Easter Flowers" stand.
Easter flowers?
Still, life would not be interesting at all if we all marched to the beat of the same drum. If everyone was forced into believing, we would all be drones and not human. And this is where I find some solace in the whole thing. I find solace in knowing that I need to walk the walk and talk the talk so that I can be an example to those who have a hard time believing. And I must be willing to sacrifice it all to be the person that I am supposed to be. After all, if I'm right, death is not a permanent thing. And, if I'm wrong, nothing happens.
If you don't fully believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, then let's just stick to the facts. Jesus was a wise man who led multitudes into lives of service and understanding of each other. He did not discriminate, making disciples out of even the most "unwanted". He was condemned by the Jewish leaders of his time because of his teachings (which went against established Jewish doctrine and some established Jewish laws). The rulers of Judea at the time, the Romans, carried out a death sentence on Jesus on or about the time of the Jewish Passover Holiday. Three days later, Jesus appeared to his disciples and to hundreds of people (a few days after his first appearance). He seemed unharmed by the crucifixion.
Historically, thousands of people died for their belief that, indeed, Jesus did rise from the dead to fulfill a promise. Even the Apostle Paul, who persecuted Christians before coming to believe himself, serves as a historical reference in what happened those days. They were strange days, indeed. A whole new way of thinking, one that put God in a direct relationship with His creation, was born.
For those of us who believe in all of this, Easter is a time of contemplation, more than celebration. We think and pray on the meaning of a promise fulfilled and how many promises we have yet to fulfill... And how far we are willing to go to fulfill them. Jesus was crucified, a manner of death most gruesome, to fulfill his promise. The Romans did not fool around when they crucified someone. It doesn't matter how much people say that Jesus did not die on the cross. Historical and archaeological evidence shows that He did. He must have. The Romans did not fool around, and they saw Him as a threat.
Passover, Easter, and other celebrations seem to coincide with the coming of Spring, so many people will tell you that Easter is nothing more than a celebration of life. It is. But these folks will throw in eggs and bunnies (symbols of fertility) to take away from the life we were given on that day about 2,000 years ago. Many don't do it on purpose. Some do. And the many that don't get the true message are what worries me. Like Christmas and other holidays, Easter has become political, commercial. I saw this as I drove by an "Easter Flowers" stand.
Easter flowers?
Still, life would not be interesting at all if we all marched to the beat of the same drum. If everyone was forced into believing, we would all be drones and not human. And this is where I find some solace in the whole thing. I find solace in knowing that I need to walk the walk and talk the talk so that I can be an example to those who have a hard time believing. And I must be willing to sacrifice it all to be the person that I am supposed to be. After all, if I'm right, death is not a permanent thing. And, if I'm wrong, nothing happens.
1 COMMENTS:
Ren, what a beautiful and informative post! I'm always happy to see Easter explained. Your faith is true, my friend, and you do it proud.
I was also thrilled to read about your impending marriage, too. I hope you keep it posted. I know it isn't until next year, but it will be upon you before you know it!!!
Have a wonderful Spring, dear heart. I was thinking of you today as I watched the running of the Boston Marathon today, and remembering your phone blog of the marathon you ran, the excitement and exhaustion in your voice, and how I cried when you were finally, finally done! Take care!!
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