A Family Circus comic strip shows the children of the family on Easter morning. One asks, “Who laid all these eggs?” The reply of another child is, “The Easter Bunny.” “Who colored them?” Again the reply, “The Easter Bunny.” The first child asks again, “Who gave us the jelly beans?” The reply, “The Easter Bunny.”
The family is then shown going to church. In church, the minister is preaching, and asks, “They came to the tomb and saw the stone rolled back, ‘Who could have done this?’ ” And the child in the congregation yells out, “The Easter Bunny!”
Of course, we all know, do we not, that history was not split in half by a rabbit! As much as children love to hunt Easter Eggs, and eat Chocolate Covered Easter Rabbits (adults, too), we know that Easter is RESURRECTION!
Jesus did not die on a cross and rise again so that we could hunt Easter eggs, but rather that we might have abundant life now and eternal life forever.
The author of the New Testament book known as Hebrews writes, “Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” Hebrews 2:14-15
Wow! How amazing! The very instrument, which to all eyes appeared to seal Christ’s doom, was his tool of triumph!
The Cross is one of those contradictions of life. At the cross we see death and life, hate and love, sin and purity; at the cross all is lost and yet everything is gained. The cross of Christ is actually a symbol of LIFE!
Paul wrote, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us, while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8
Listen to these colorful words of Charles Spurgeon, who was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel, today the Metropolitan Tabernacle, in London for 38 years during the 1800’s.
“Look at your Master and your King upon the cross, all distained with blood and dust! There was his heel most cruelly bruised. When they take down that precious body and wrap it in fair white linen and in spices, and lay it in Joseph’s tomb, they weep as they handle the casket in which the Deity had dwelt, for there again Satan had bruised his heel… The devil had let loose Herod, and Pilate, and Caiaphas, and the Jews, and the Romans… That is all, however! It is only his heel, and not his head, that is bruised! For lo, the Champion rises again! (Vol. 22, 1876)
As we journey through this Lenten season, may we walk with Jesus on His path to the cross. It is only as we understand the cross that we fully understand the true meaning of Easter.
Why not invite a friend to walk this journey with you? Why not commit to one random act of kindness this season of Lent?
Just a note: Good Friday and Sunrise Morning Services with Breakfast will be held at Christ Church this year. Easter services with the combined choir, message and celebration will be at 10:45 a.m.