The Meaning of Easter - Pt. 1

 

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (Luke 24:1-8 ESV).

 

As I mentioned yesterday, Easter can easily be misunderstood. Because of that truth, we will spend a few days reviewing some of the traditions and practices that have developed over the years. First we should remember that at its very essence Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion; however, it is also a popular secular holiday celebrated by the majority of North Americans. Colored eggs, Easter egg hunts, and baskets full of candy, all brought by a mysterious magical bunny, delight the culture-at-large, regardless of faith background.

 

It is also a time for families to gather together on Easter Sunday to share feasts of ham, lamb, and deviled eggs. And for some an Easter sunrise or worship service may be an important annual experience. But where did these traditions come from? Do any of them have biblical or religious significance, or are they secular, or even pagan, in origin? Well, the answers may surprise you.

 

First, let me be clear from the outset that the Bible does not directly mention a holiday or festival set aside for the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. However, the event that Easter celebrates, the resurrection, is chronicled in all four of the gospels and is referred to over one hundred times throughout the New Testament. The first known written reference to a holiday celebrating the resurrection, referred to then as Pashca (the Latin translation of the Greek word for Passover), was made in the mid-2nd century AD. The account reflects a developed mode of celebrating the resurrection by that time, signaling that Easter was likely celebrated by even the earliest of Christians. The resurrection is a cornerstone even and as such it is pivotal in our church calendar. Through the years other meaningful practices were added. We’ll look at those in the following days. Today, center your attention on the fact that Jesus is risen!

Palm Sunday

 

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” And they went away and found a colt tied at a door outside in the street, and they untied it. And some of those standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” And they told them what Jesus had said, and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:1-11 ESV).

 

We are about a week early in the actual calendar; however, starting the devotionals about Easter this early gives us more time to process the incredible magnitude of Jesus’ redemptive work on our behalf. Today we are looking at the day Jesus makes His entry into Jerusalem for the events leading to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Jesus enters the "City of Peace" ("Jerusalem") as the people cheer, "Hosanna!," which means, "Save!" It is unlikely they understood what was happening. Even the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples did not yet fully grasp the significance of the coming events.

 

The crowds took their salvation cry from Psalm 118:25-26. They wanted Jesus to overthrow the Romans and take back their capital city (cf. John 6:15; Acts 1:6). Had they forgotten his prophecy about going to Jerusalem to suffer and die for their salvation (Mark 8:31; 9:30-32; 10:32-34)? Easter's victory would be impossible without Good Friday's surrender to death. And what of the two disciples Jesus sent to get the colt? Were they honored to do this for Jesus? Thankfully, they did as directed, and their obedience challenges us to be obedient disciples.

 

Sadly, the crowds' cheers would soon turn into jeers. So it goes when a hero—even God—doesn't give us what we want. But today we know who Jesus is and who and whose we are. It should motivate us to shout our "Hosannas" in truth.

 

The High Priest

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men sin their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:23-28 ESV).

 

As we draw closer to Easter we will look more at the last week before the crucifixion, today we will look through today’s reading from Hebrews one phrase at a time. Here is what we read about Jesus.

 

First, look at the verse, “…there have been many … priests,” Jesus is the one Savior. He is the living, eternal Savior, for he “lives forever.” Jesus is the permanent Savior—“he has a permanent priesthood.”

 

Second, Jesus is a complete Savior—“he is able to save completely.” He is a welcoming Savior—he saves “those who come to God through him.” He is an unfailing, praying Savior—“he always lives to intercede” for us.

 

Third, Jesus is a fitting Savior—he “truly meets our need.” He is a righteous, unimpeachable, unblemished Savior—he is “blameless, pure.” He is a “holy” Savior—“set apart from sinners.” He is an ascended Savior—“exalted above the heavens.”

 

Fourth, Jesus’ atoning work is finished—“he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day … he sacrificed for [our] sins once for all.” And he is a willing Savior—“he offered himself.”

 

Finally, Jesus is the only Savior (John 14:6). And we may call him “our Savior.” Lent is a good time to meditate deeply on our one, all-sufficient Savior.

  

Bits and Pieces

 

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes pas it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:14-22 ESV).

 

The stained-glass window we have hanging in our home was a gift from the last church I pastored, Santa Fe Baptist Church, in Tennessee. It is identical to the windows we placed in the transoms of our sanctuary. It is a cherished reminder of the incredible years we spent there with wonderful folks. When we visited with the artisan who would craft it, he asked that we pick out the glass for the window. There were scores of choices both in colors and texture of glass. As I looked at the variety, I wondered how he could make that into a window. He said, “It’s a bit like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.

 

I understood that image. I have often enjoyed spreading out a puzzle on the table and watching it come together. Of course, my artistry is minimal, but the patience is the same, and the reward is beautiful. Someone has said that the fine cathedral windows of Notre Dame were fashioned out of discarded glass fragments. The stained-glass artist had greater skill and worked harder than we do, but the principle is the same—turning fragments into beauty.

 

The Bible mirrors the continuous fragmentation of life and relationships—Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and his sons, Abraham and Lot, Sarah and Hagar, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers (all these in Genesis!), and then Miriam and Moses, David and Absalom, Jew and Gentile, and even Paul and Barnabas. Today we know such fragmentation on a much more personal level. However, Jesus puts us together creating beauty. Lent is a good time to mourn our brokenness and find our wholeness in Christ.

 

Serving with Humility

 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that phis hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” (John 13:1-7 ESV).

 

Jesus personified serving with humility. When Jesus was transfigured, Peter wanted to build three shelters. Luke comments, “He did not know what he was saying.” Though the disciples spent time with Jesus, witnessed many miracles, and heard his amazing teaching, they often did not grasp what it meant to follow him. Later in that same chapter, for example, Luke writes, “They did not understand” (cf. Luke 9:45). Humanly speaking, Jesus would have had good reason to impatiently “throw in the towel” as he worked with these disciples. Throughout his entire teaching and preaching ministry they often showed that they had barely learned anything.

 

But it’s a cynic who throws in the towel, not a servant. The Savior, on the night before his death, wrapped a towel around his waist and proceeded to show his disciples that life in the kingdom of God is about humbly serving others. “I have set you an example,” Jesus says (John 13:15). This is also the path meant for us.

 

Serving others in Jesus’ name can be uncomfortable, humbling, and even painful. It can be costly. Bringing glory to God can be inglorious to ourselves. Lent is a good time to lay down our pride and serve others for Jesus’ sake.

 

Are You Grumbling?

 

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ sI may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:12-16 ESV).

 

Grumbling is the antithesis to gratitude. Yet, we all fall into that pattern from time to time. I can grumble at the gas station (high prices), at the grocery store (not enough checkout lanes open), at the doctor’s office (it takes so long to get in), watching television (the commercials are so long), in the kitchen (emptying the dishwasher), on the driveway (the inside of the windshield smears when I clean it). My tent of discontent can be huge! No wonder Jeremiah Burroughs’ 1648 classic is titled The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. And what he wrote in the book is true: “Murmuring is below the spirit of a Christian.”

 

I am often reminded of my grumpiness when Mary will say, “You must not feel well. You sure are grumpy.” It is a great reminder that regardless of my inconvenience, no one deserves my grumbling. No wonder Jesus had to die on the cross—our sins include even our grumbling, murmuring, complaining, and discontent. And he died without grumbling about our grumbling!

 

We have the perfect example in Jesus. He didn’t grumble; in fact, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (cf. Philippians 2). We, then, should “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

 

Lent is a good time to work on our attitude and give up our grumbling.

 

Kindness

 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—  and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV).

 

There is no shortage of the contrast between kindness and not. In fact, just in the last week we were given a full dose of both the kindness of men and the unkindness of men. I heard one media personality quote the well-known comment from Plato, as she said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” I have often read of playwright Douglas Jerrold (1803-1857) as he was described as a man so kind that “he would have held an umbrella over a duck in a shower of rain.” Our reading today describes the ultimate kindness which has been shown toward man.

 

In the midst of his letter, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness … not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” We have all lost hard battles with sin. But Christ’s umbrella is cross-shaped, protecting us from a deluge of God’s just wrath. God, our Father, is kind beyond measure so that “…he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

 

Lent is a good time to reflect on God’s kindness as well as being very intention about showing kindness toward others.