Easter Reflections...

Hello, friends! 

Happy Good Friday to all those who celebrate. May you experience the great joy that comes from knowing that Jesus has defeated death. He is risen! He is risen indeed. =0). 

These past few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about Easter, specifically why Easter is important. Obviously, Jesus' death and resurrection are the point of Christianity. It is because of the atoning work of Jesus' death and the miraculous resurrection that makes Christianity and an eternity with God possible. 

Given all that, I can't help but think that the Church, especially the American evangelical church, to which I belong, has lost the plot when it comes to Easter. We've have over emphasized some parts of the Good News and under emphasized other. 

For starters, I think we've over emphasized heaven. Don't get me wrong; the idea of spending eternity with Christ sounds really good. I'm very much looking forward to a time when there will be no death, pain, or suffering. I have to many friends, family, and loved ones, who are going through too many things to not long for something better. Heaven is going to be great and it is only through the death and resurrection that we are able to have access to heaven and eternity with God. 

What makes me uncomfortable is when we make it the entirety of the story. It is true that Easter is important because Jesus died for my sins and because of his sacrifice, I can come to God without sin or blemish. It is absolutely crucial that we understand that. It's just not the whole story. 

See, when we put our trust in the resurrection power of the cross, we aren't just forgiven of our sins. We are made into new creations. We are no longer slaves to sin, death, and fear. Instead, we are made alive in Christ and decidedly on "Team Jesus." The kicker is, what the purpose of being on "Team Jesus" is. See, I don't think that the only reason we're saved is so that we can go to heaven when the end times come. When I look into scripture, what I see is that wherever the people of God are actually following Jesus, they are DOING THINGS. They are healing the sick. They are being generous. They are welcoming the poor, the widowed, the orphan, and the immigrant. They are not waiting for heaven. They are bringing heaven to earth, almost as if the call is to see, "thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven." 

I get really bothered when I look at the news and I see all the things that a supposed "Christian Nation" is doing to people made in the image of God, worthy of dignity and respect. The people of God are supposed to treat everyone with love and compassion. We are supposed to act in love. We are supposed to be humble and be willing to confess our shortcomings and sins. We are supposed to represent Jesus to the world. 

My hope for this Easter is that I will not just accept the free gift of salvation as a cheap trinket that I can keep in my pocket for comfort. I don't want my Christianity to be something that supposedly changes my life but doesn't inspire me to change the world around me for the better. Here's hoping I can live somewhat close to that ideal this week and every day ahead. Only by the power of the Cross. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam