I used to sit in church, even on Easter Sunday, and think, “Yippee. This is awesome for me and everybody else in the club, but the majority of human beings are not in the club.” Not that they would be unwelcome in it, but most of them either haven’t heard of it or have misconceptions of what it is or don’t want to do what it takes to get in, so for all practical purposes, they are excluded. I just couldn’t get excited about being raised to new life—no matter how wonderful it would be for me—if it was only for a select few.
The worst Easter ever was in 2000. We were just about to leave for church on Easter morning when my 14-year-old son Andy got a phone call with the news that one of his friends had committed suicide during the night. Despite the glorious music around me and powerful preaching from the pulpit, I sat through the service under a great cloud, feeling a weight of grief for Josh’s family and friends and wondering where was the hope in the Easter message. Figuratively speaking, if only this kid had waited to see the light of resurrection morning! But he was trapped in the darkness of night. What hope could we offer to his parents beyond a vague wish that maybe he repented and cried out to God before the noose tightened around his neck and choked the life out of him? And what do you tell his friends? Use it as a morality tale that they should ask Jesus into their hearts before it’s too late and they end up in hell? My son branded Josh’s initials into his arm, the scars a reminder to this day of a friend who was lost—forever, if the standard Christian view is true.
Now, with the understanding that Jesus’ work on the cross not only is offered to all but ultimately will be effective for all, I can truly see the hope of the resurrection! Some say that speaking of Jesus’ complete victory over sin and death offers false hope, but it really is true hope, as contrasted to the false terror and despair offered by the view that many are eternally damned. Now I don’t have to grit my teeth and force myself to trust God even though His ways seem unjust; I can truly worship the God who formed the wonderful plan of full redemption and will bring it to pass.
As you sit in church this coming Easter Sunday, allow yourself to believe that Jesus’ death on the cross will fully accomplish the purpose for which He died: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). As you hear the preaching of the gospel, lay hold of our “living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). As you sing of His glorious resurrection, let your heart be filled with the fullness of joy that comes from believing in His unfailing love and the limitless power of the Cross!
Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption (Psalm 130:7)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
Lift High the Cross
Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore
his sacred Name.
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee.
From farthest regions let their homage bring,
and on his Cross adore their Savior King.
Set up thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease
beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
For thy blest Cross which doth for all atone
creation’s praises rise before thy throne.
Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore
his sacred Name!
George William Kitchen and Michael Robert Newbolt, 1916
For more of my essays, you’re invited to visit my blog on christianpost.com. It would be nice to have some friendly faces there!
I pray God gives you the strength & courage to continue to shine a light into that place & that the Holy Spirit would convict those who persecute you.
It seems to be more heckling than any form of reasoning or honest inquiry. Probably it’s just as well that you don’t bother answering them too often – likely a waste of time.