Easter Sunday 2011. He Is Risen!
A couple of thoughts presented themselves to me today while at a sunrise service. This is always an occasion for rejoicing as thoughts generally do not come in pairs to me. But before I get to those thoughts let me wax a bit on the service itself and how my wife and I came to be there. We do a lot of shopping in Derby since we live so close and our daughter and her family live there. One day we saw a sign advertising a sunrise service. This was on the outskirts of town and an observant observer could see three crosses back in a wooded area off of a short dirt road that went into a field. We decided to attend and wondered if it was sponsored by a church or just an individual. I was expecting a small gathering especially when the morning was accompanied by overcast, threatening skies, and a cool temperature. However, there were 60 or 70 folks there, best I could tell and it was a wonderful service. Now, back to my two thoughts.
Something was said about angels during the sermon. A subject that seems to have some bit of ambiguity attached to it as far as I can see. They are real, no doubt, but their exact nature and such seems vague. It strikes me that on Easter, whatever the angels' precise nature or essence may in fact be, surely they are celebrating with us. I am guessing there is no time that the spiritual realm we have so much trouble connecting with, and our daily lives, are in such concert with one another. Surely, on this day, however inadequate, or shallow, my understanding of spiritual matters, we are joined by the whole of the heavenly arena as we proclaim, "He Is Risen". This thought is one that brings real joy to my heart. The other of the two thoughts has to do with the perception by many in Jesus' day that he would bring a military revolt to overthrow the Roman occupation. This view extended far beyond just the "zealots" who were actively working toward that end by taking military action of their own. In the context of human history, which shows that the world is ruled by the use of force, why wouldn't you expect this of a "deliverer"? The disappointment of these followers provides a vivid contrast to the true nature of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. What army, or military campaign, could have influenced the world the way Jesus did. Ghengis Khan? Alexander the Great? Think of Matthew 6. In reference to the showy actions of the religious leaders whose intent was to put on a good show for those who were watching Jesus says, "they have their reward in full". They wanted attention, and that's what they got. They have what they wanted. If military conquest is your goal then that, if you are successful, will be your reward. Their influence, though great, was not as profound or significant as that of Jesus. The Zealots had the right idea, just the wrong tools. Jesus had what it took to conquer death and sin and usher in a new kingdom that will never be overthrown.
Today, if no other, let's celebrate with the whole of creation, that Jesus is risen.
