The bad thing about Easter is that it's on the calendar. I don't want to criticize 2000 years of church history, but I wonder if we've made a mistake. Easter becomes a day in the year that I can look forward to and a day in the year that becomes a quickly fading memory. I wonder, are we are supposed to memorialize the resurrection or materialize the resurrection?Don't get me wrong, I love Easter Sunday! I'm just concerned that by having it be an annual day on the calendar I overlook the full impact that day has on my life. Somehow it's more than a day to remember - it's a day to live. It's a day that changes everything. The day of Easter represents transformational power that is available each day of the year. Maybe we lose the point when Easter is a church service that I dress up for and come home from. When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthian church in the 15th chapter he included a theology of Easter that we overlook. The resurrection of Christ is more than a day in history, it is a day in my future. I will do that too one day! Jesus and I have that in common!The empty tomb should be more than a day that I celebrated, it's a reality that I live. As a pastor, I love that there is a day that is the highest church attendance day of the year to applaud the power of Christ. I love that we know it's not about a chocolate bunny or a decorated egg. I just wonder if we really celebrate well the power of Christ when it's a day that I look forward to and back on and not a transforming truth that impacts my eternity... daily.Maybe I can learn how to have it be both.Thinking about Easter,Pastor Dave
Jesus, and I went for walk on Good Friday. It was an amazing walk. Usually I have some question or issues that I need his input on, but this walk was quiet. We both knew what today was about.
At one point I wanted to ask him why he asked God to forgive those who crucified him. I could have thought of something far more appropriate than, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But when I looked at him I realized that words would get in the way. So we walked.
I almost asked what happened to him when he was in the tomb. Theologians debate about that all the time. I could get the answer right from his mouth and do the talk show circuit correcting all those who live on taking the mystery out of the mysterious. But, yesterday didn’t seem to be a good topic for words.
So we walked. Slowly my questions that almost made it past my lips started to fade and I became aware of His presence. I didn’t need to know. I didn’t need to ask. I didn’t even need to listen. Just walk.
I sometimes forget about the power of walking with the Master. Often I am too hungry for insight to experience nearness and too eager to have answers to drink in what is living. Just walk.
I realized the One walking with me knows about my failures - and still walks with me. I thought about the fact that the One next to me that knows my thoughts - still loves me. I celebrated the One who journeys with (and in) me knows my soul is not flawless - and yet he receives it without hesitation.
His smile reminded me that he enjoys being with me too. There was no point in asking why he does. I’ve tried. It’s a circular argument. He loves me because he loves me. Today I just walked in that.
The fire in his eyes provided cleansing when they meet with mine. One time, when we glanced toward each other, I realized that not only does he look deep into my life, he allows me to do the same when I look at him. It’s like looking at the sun, you can’t do it for long, but when you look away the brightness remains and impacts everything else you see. I like that about him.
Sometimes words mess up presence.
Today, I’m doing more than remembering the cross. I’m walking with the One that went there. I'm not done yet.
Quietly Walking,
Dave
