Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is for me a day to rejoice like no other!
"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James,
and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb
when the sun had risen." Mark 16:1-2
In the polymer clay sculpture above, I chose to depict that mysterious moment of discovering the empty tomb of Jesus. The two Marys stand stunned, their plans to anoint His dead body abandoned. There was no one to mourn. What's more, they had no way of comprehending what took place, because it had never happened before!
But that was then, what about now? We have since heard that Jesus rose from the dead. Why should it matter to anyone—why does it matter to me?
I could not be more different from those who lived in Bible times, and even from contemporary Middle Easterners, trapped in endless wars and struggles for survival. My battles are different, my perspective colored by my limited experiences. And yet, what happened on Golgotha, over two thousand years ago gives my life meaning, purpose and destiny today.
In this season, some will contemplate Jesus' earthly life of love and miracles, others His teachings, and still others will linger on the trauma of His death by crucifixion. The Jewish celebration of Passover is inextricably linked with Easter Sunday, since He is the Jewish Messiah, the Passover Lamb of God, sacrificed for the sins of the world for all time.
The resurrection of Jesus is the most significant event in human history, yet many dismiss it. Mankind needed saving, and Jesus is the Savior sent from God.
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”
that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith
and are saved.
As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”
Romans 10:8-10
But "saved" from what? I balked at the very idea of needing to be "saved"! It seemed rather fanatical to me, like something you'd expect screamed at you by a wild-eyed street preacher.
Yet I could not deny my sinfulness before a holy God. No one needed to force me to admit that I was a horribly flawed person, tainted by sin and helpless to overcome. To wipe the slate clean and begin anew with Jesus was the irresistible offer that I took, along with countless others. We were "saved."
The "saving" that the Bible talks about is so vast in scope that a lifetime is insufficient to comprehend its privileges! But enjoyment of those benefits begin right away! I would not trade for anything the love of God and His peace, which helps me navigate life's toughest moments.
What appears to be dry words on a page will come alive when you do something with them, as I did. Like notes that remain calligraphic markings on sheet music until the musician plays them, the words of the Bible betray nothing of their beauty or power, until mixed with faith. And faith requires viewable corresponding action to be complete.
Believe in your heart that the words above are true and declare them with your mouth— and you will be saved. That's it!
Could the uncomplicated act of trusting the Bible transform your life? It did mine.
Intellectuals and experts can discourse at length about whether Jesus really did rise from the dead. Arguments aside, no one can challenge my personal experience, or that of thousands of others, who in the years since that first Easter Sunday have also been transformed.
We were delivered from the death grip of sin and the futility of an empty life into a growing, vibrant hope that defies definition. It has changed me in ways I could never have dreamed possible.
Being "saved" is a process that has only become more precious with each passing year. All that reeks of death, or the fear of death, is continually transformed by His light, dispelling all darkness. He reveals and invites me to trust Him to change. The process will continue, either until I step into eternity or He returns, whichever comes first.
Easter Sunday is a day I celebrate with gratitude for the step of faith that I took. I found His mercy to be sufficient as I plunged into a life I could not have imagined. That was over three decades ago!
His mercy, which I experienced is perfect, colorful, surprising. It's also difficult to explain to one who has not yet chosen to trust.
I can only tell of my experience and hope that some part of it will be intriguing enough to urge the skeptic to take that step as well.
When you watch someone dive into a cool pool on a steamy summer day, do you not feel the urge to jump in as well?
Mercy, the polymer clay relief sculpture above was created to celebrate my plunge.
Some of you will read this and find resonance in your own experience. You're enjoying, and sharing with the world, your unique stories of His working in your life. With the millions of voices of the past, you too can jubilantly declare "He is risen, He is risen indeed!!".
The story does not end with Easter Sunday, but continues to the marvelous finale of Jesus' promised return. To believe that may also seem ridiculous to some. I cannot persuade you into belief. I can, however, point to the One, who set in writing historical events preceding His resurrection which unfolded exactly as written. He also promised specific events that will usher His return. His record of keeping His appointments in time is impeccable!
Some of those events are today's news!
Considering God's masterful timeliness, detailed hundreds of years before their coming to pass, I'm certain that the rest of 'His' story will unfold precisely as foretold.
If you are still ambivalent, I urge you to listen to the accounts of other Christians, each uniquely demonstrating the reality and power of our great and compassionate God.
May you also desire to dive into a colorful, redeemed life of His mercy, unshackled from the bondage of sin. It is a life worth living.
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