Yeah, I’m pretty sure the #1 reason you aren’t losing weight is that holidays like Easter come around and you stuff your face full of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, cream corn, baked beans, and rolls while snacking on chocolate….
Or maybe that’s just me. I hear for most it is ham….
Ah lack of self-control my old enemy. I know you well. Today we shall live in peace and with an ever expanding waistline I will continue to promise to fight you tomorrow. I will also complain regularly that it isn't working.
But seriously, we tend to make most holidays about food. A few make it about food and family. Even fewer focus on the actual meaning. I wanted to take a moment to do just that.
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
- Matthew 28:1-10
Seldom in our happy spring themed celebrations do we remember the grave yard or the violent revolution that we celebrate. Look at the violent language used here; violent earthquake, appearance like lightning, guards so afraid they shook and became like dead men. Three times in this small passage the women are referred to as being afraid.
This was not a pastel, white glowing, chipper experience. This was early dawn with long shadows and harsh sun in a grave yard, a violent earthquake tore through the ground, a grave was opened and a man that looked like lightning terrified hardened soldiers until they passed out, then he himself sat guard.
When Jesus marched out of the grave he did so in a violent revolution that tumbled the dominion of hell and the grave. The one inevitable and immovable expectation in life was done away with like yesterday’s garbage. Jesus rose from the grave, not called back by someone else, but of His own power; and the dominion of hell shattered.
It was this risen King, this revolutionary and destroyer of hell itself, this is who the women met and worshiped. Not some meek, sheep cuddling, placid white guy. They met the mighty King in His triumphant return.
Jesus has promised to celebrate that triumphant return with all of us one day. He will get the procession and praise that is due Him, and there will be no doubters left on that day.
THAT is why we celebrate Easter. No bunny can compare with our risen King, no basket of goodies or gluttonous meal can match the promise of His return.
Come Lord Jesus, please come…
All of Creation eagerly keeps watch for you my Lord and King, we await and serve.
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