Happy Easter

Happy Easter, good people! 

What a great time of the year – flowers blooming, March winds behind us and warmer temperatures ahead. Sorry Southern Hemisphere peeps. Which I guess shows us that some of the experiences we attach to Easter aren’t necessarily about Easter, rather geo-cultural.

Yet for all Christians, remembering people cheering for a King and Jesus’ example of humility and love comes along with Easter Sunday. As shown on Palm Sunday as Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey, (symbolizing humility) causing people with misplaced hope to mistakenly cheer for him as if he is a military leader. We also recognize Maundy Thursday with another example of Jesus’ humility and love as he washes the disciples’ feet. Still to this day an awkward experience for many. 

Good Friday shows us Jesus’ ultimate act of humility and love, amongst other Godly attributes, as he suffers and gives his life for the good of all creation. I typically feel ominous on this special day of wondering, “What in the world is happening?”

Holy Saturday has its own emotions – somewhere between waiting and anxious. Thinking to myself, “Can we just celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, already?” Remembering this day is like a heavy emotional cloud, we don’t know the outcome of yesterday’s events. Still trying to imagine what good can come from such suffering and death. Too bewildered to see the future, yet wanting to move forward.

And then Easter Sunday comes. “He is risen. He is risen, indeed!” is my favorite exclamation for this special day. As Christians, we often text and say these words to family and friends. Those who are excited to celebrate the good news of Easter!

So, what about people who don’t believe Jesus, as God, has risen from the dead – bringing new life to earth? Why is this such a prominent question for so many people of the Christian faith? I trust that it is a question that comes from humility and love. Having heard from God and continually experiencing faith, hope, and love; we instinctively care for others. We have their best interest in mind. It is truly our “second” nature to want them to experience and know the joy of Christ’s humility and love.

There are a lot of ideas as to how God’s humility and love eventually plays out for all. I trust in God’s goodness to work this out. Let’s recognize that our role is to be and do the goodness of God. For now, this Easter week, let’s consider Jesus Christ’s example of humility and love, and how we can express “He is risen” through our good works of humility and love.

April showers bring May flowers.

Mike