Easter Reflections

Yesterday was Celebration Day. Resurrection Day. Yesterday we celebrated that Jesus did exactly what He said He was going to do!


Yes, this Easter was very different from the Easter celebrations we have become accustomed to. Yet still we celebrated. And perhaps, in some way, this was a better celebration than our normal celebrations. Because we weren't distracted by what to wear and preparing a large meal and would the music be exactly right and all the other things that tend to distract us. This year we could celebrate without distractions.


The events of Easter are familiar to us. We know what happened that Sunday morning in Jerusalem so many years ago. It's important to know what happened. But it is also important to know why.


We know from the Old Testament than sin was dealt with by a system of sacrifices. But the New Testament tells us that the sacrificial system was not sufficient to restore the relationship between God and man.


"For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." (Hebrews 10:4)


And so Christ died.


"Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18 NASB)


On that Friday of Passover week, Jesus - our Passover Lamb - died to take away the sins of the world.


But He didn't stay dead!


Friday tells us that the sacrifice was offered, the once-for-all payment for sin was made. Sunday tells us that the sacrifice was accepted. And that is the message of the empty tomb.


The sacrifice has been made. The sacrifice has been accepted. It. Is. Finished.


That's the point of Easter. No matter which translation we read from or which Gospel we read from, the message is the same.


"When He [Jesus] had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Hebrews 1:3b NASB)


"But He [Jesus], having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God."
(Hebrews 10:12 NASB)


"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
(Hebrews 12:2 NASB)


What do these verses have in common? He sat down.


What's the significance of that? He sat down because His work is completed. The sacrifice has been made. The sacrifice has been accepted. It. Is. Finished.


Matthew's Gospel tells us that "toward dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave."  There they encountered an angel of the Lord, whose first words to them were "Do not be afraid." (Matthew 28:5 NASB)


The women had arrived at the tomb in despair. But the angel told them not to be afraid, and reminded them that "He is risen, just as He said." (v. 6)


The angel reminded the women that Jesus had done exactly what He said He would do. And that's a good reminder for us as well. It's easy to not be afraid, to believe God, when things are going well. But sometimes we get a little forgetful when the tough times come.


Here in the middle of this "Easter story" is a reminder to remember. And a reminder to fear not. That's a particularly important take-away from this passage as we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. When so much of life is off kilter. When our Easter celebrations are not "normal". When we are sheltering in place. When we don't know what will happen next or how long this will last, it's easy to forget. What a comfort to find this little reminder tucked right in the middle of this story. Don't be afraid.


The crucifixion was not a surprise. The resurrection was not a surprise. God had it all under control. And He has all the current circumstances under control too.


There's one other nugget from this passage for us to keep in mind today. In Matthew 28:8-10, as the women were leaving the tomb, they met Jesus! And what did Jesus say to them? Go tell.


The challenge of Easter for us is the same as it was on that first Easter morning. Go and tell. Because once you have met Jesus, you just have to tell somebody!


The news of Easter is the best news ever! Even though we live in a world that doesn't know or care about the news of Easter, even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, we still have the same responsibility to tell. The same commission.


A great price was paid for us, and with that price comes great responsibility!


"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
(1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NASB)