Easter Sunday is So Much More

and Who Was Jesus, Anyway?

In the Baptist Churches where I grew up and spent half of my adult life, there was no recognition of Lent, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and no following of a liturgical calendar.   Easter Sunday in those churches was planned for the evangelization of “the lost” who could often be convinced to attend service with their family twice a year, on Christmas and Easter.  Usually, the pastor would spend most of the service recounting the agonies of Christ on the cross and then throw in the part about the resurrection before giving an altar call. 

In my late 30’s I began to experience “church” from different perspectives.  When I discovered the liturgical calendar, there was order, and beauty, and I was able to wrap my mind around the linear sequence of the life of Christ as I followed the church calendar.  Around that same time, it occurred to me that I had been taught to use the Bible to interpret the life of Christ and not vice versa.   So many things made more sense to me then. 

I began thinking:   What would happen if we made the words of Jesus the final authority over all the rest of Scripture?  In other words, what would happen if I became a “red letter believer” emphasizing the words and actions of Christ and making that the final authority? 

What I found, as I began looking honestly at Jesus' example, is that his words and actions usually make those who believe them feel like an outsider to all organized religions.  The words of Jesus are controversial, and His actions are radical. 

Jesus himself made clear responsibility given to his followers and our intended purpose on this earth when He said:

 "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

— Matthew 22:35–40

The irony is, that in concentrating on the words of Christ and measuring everything against them,  I realize now more than I ever did before, how far I fall short. 

Instead of making lunch and distributing it to the hungry like Jesus did, I make excuses about how busy I am.  Instead of pausing to discuss fishing (or theology) with someone seeking companionship, I hastily complete my tasks.  Instead of touching the feverish heads of the ill and offering a prayer for their recovery, I keep my distance so that I do not get sick.  Instead of sitting down with people who are not like me and getting to know them, I hide behind my prejudice.  Instead of speaking not a word when I dislike a particular religious or political leader, I feel I must broadcast my dislike and why.  Instead of figuratively upsetting some tables of money changers who are more interested in profit than helping others worship, I keep my mouth shut.  Instead of hanging out with the outcasts of society, I turn my head in confusion.  Instead of turning the other cheek, I lash out. 

The examples can go on indefinitely, for I am nothing like Jesus. 

Yet, I want to be.

And there it is, the answer that comes to me as I contemplate the meaning of this Holy Day that I so often have taken for granted. 

The group of outcasts that follow Jesus head into Passover weekend confused, broken, and hurting.  Life makes absolutely no sense to them after seeing their leader die a cruel death on the cross.  The words He said must seem to them to be nothing but lies.  Their dreams of “something more” are destroyed.

But then, there comes the shout of a woman who claims to have seen an angel.  We take this story for granted because we have heard it so many times, but what an incredulous declaration it was! 

Like any of us who have lost all hope, these Jesus followers wanted to believe things were better than they had thought, but how could it be?  Thomas even said that he would not believe it until he had seen it for himself! 

Like the early believers, I think, “How can it be?”

And yet, I hope…………………..and I believe against all logic.

Without the story of the Resurrection, the life of Christ holds no meaning and Christianity is of no value.  Although I cannot explain the Resurrection of Christ, to throw it away is to throw away the foundation of my spiritual beliefs. 

On this Easter Sunday of 2024, with the believers of the ages, I celebrate the renewal of life and healing of spirit and I pray for the strength to be more like the radical man named Jesus whose arms of love spread wide enough to hold us all.