Sunday, June 2, 2019

Easter Reflected


When writing, I have a need to frame and condense owing to my early years as a news reporter. This is a challenge during Eastertide. There are so many facets to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It cannot be explained in a tightly crafted paragraph. It's worthy of volumes. In that spirit, I'm reading The Crucifixion | Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge - 612 pages of Easter meaning! This study reminds me that my staccato prayers may fall short. Still, I'm forever trying to explore and explain my "truth," to locate my current position on the path of faith. And I'm humbled by St. Paul's admonition to the Corinthians: Those who think they know something do not yet know as the ought to know.
(1st Corinthians 8:2)



So many layers, Lord. So many rooms in Easter's theological mansion.

There's an impressive library with scholarly tomes on penal substitutionary atonement. I'm staying out of there! It's not a commodious room for me. 

I prefer to spend time in the grand ballroom of your fierce and sacrificial love. 

Other spaces beckon, too. Sins forgiven. Evil repelled. Life eternal. 

Let the Spirit test these highlights of my Easter exploration:

Lord Christ, you experienced this world at its worst - betrayal, humiliation, torture and homicide. We call that suffering your Passion. 

You might have summoned an apocalyptic response. Instead, you took the punishment - rather than punish - to show the depth of your love for us. I call that your passion for mankind. 

And the horrific crucifixion event has a profoundly surprising outcome. Your resurrection. 

You have defeated evil. Your followers are acquitted of their own brokenness. 

You have defeated death. Your followers rise with you. 

That's our hope as Easter people. Lifted above worldly offense and our personal trespass. Lifted even from the grave. Fiercely loved by our Creator. At home with Jesus! Amen.