April 13
DebDay 30: Easter Christians
My calendar app says today is "Easter Monday." New to me. I Googled it. Didn't learn much.
For most of us, the Monday after Easter is when pastors and leaders recover, when churches pat themselves on the back, when we eat less than the day before.
While a lot of Christians I know were posting photos of their dressed up and very darling families (or photos of ham) I was truly amazed over what was for me a new phenomenon - a phrase I will affectionately coin as "Easter Christians."
People perhaps otherwise never bothered with Jesus were suddenly posting photos of crosses and empty graves (with appropriate public domain sunrise photos in the background.)
I sense many of us in the western world get nostalgic at Easter. We reflect on our personal histories, and we certainly like the idea of being on the winning side.
Jesus conquered death, so we will too. Because Americans like the idea of being on the winning side.
But, (and here comes the potential offense...)
I'm asking myself this: do these same friends of mine also believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell?
Do they hold to Jesus being the only One to provide and usher us into a reconciled relationship with our holy God?
Particularly difficult, do they subscribe to the notion that God does judge sinners as He judges sin?
And, do they believe that we must repent and believe?
Do they? Do we? I hope so.
In chapter 8 of the Song of Songs (Solomon) verses 6-7 talk about what real love is.
The woman wants to be pursued, even "owned" by her "Beloved." She wants him to put a seal of her, a seal over his heart (keeping her primary in his thoughts.) She wants him to put that seal on his arm (motivating his actions.)
She goes on to say that love is like death (irresistible), like the grave (jealous), like fire (passionate), like water (consistent and persevering), and cannot be bought (priceless, incredibly valued.)
Please notice again - it's the woman saying all this.
She wants to be loved like that. She wants her lover to find her irresistible. She wants him to be jealous, passionate, consistent and persevering. She wants to be valued higher than any price.
Who doesn't want to be loved like that.
And believers around the world, on Easter and otherwise, know we are loved, like that. Jesus proved the Father's love. He died in our place. He was resurrected for our justification.
Aside from Easter, do the Easter Christians among us love our Savior in return? Like that?
Do they? Do we? I hope so.
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
