Pastor Davis' Weblog
Pastor's Blog
Podcasts
WHY ISN’T EASTER AS EXCITING AS CHRISTMAS?
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
WHY ISN’T EASTER AS EXCITING AS CHRISTMAS?
It isn’t you know. We don’t have Easter trees; we have Easter baskets. We don’t put Easter lights on the roof although we may place a banner on the porch. Hands are not cramped from writing “Easter cards.” And no one has warned us about how many shopping days there are until Easter.
Why isn’t Easter bigger and more exciting than Christmas?
Should it be? Think on that. What’s a bigger deal: opening the cake mix box or pulling the baked cake from the oven?
Why isn’t Easter bigger than Christmas?
Could it be that there is no real way to re-spin it?
With Christmas you can easily re-spin the birth of Jesus as the birth of a man who would bring peace and love to others. Who doesn’t like a new baby and who doesn’t desire peace and love? And besides, babies are born all the time. That’s easy to believe. The world has no problem drawing attention to the birth of a baby.
But Easter has no way to be re-spun. Either Christ rose from the dead or he did not. Either sin, death and Satan have been conquered, or they have not. The world can do only two things with Easter: believe or disbelieve. The claims of Easter cannot be repackaged; you either believe or disbelieve. And where is there celebration in disbelief? Disbelief doesn’t celebrate; it ignores. So the world ignores Easter and goes on Spring Break.
Interesting. The world ignores Easter. It doesn’t know what to do with it. It leaves it alone.
It leaves it to Christians to celebrate.
Maybe this is a bigger question: which is bigger in your life and why?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CERTAIN SECURITY
Many have gone to much work to enact a plan for health care. Many have gone to much work to forestall that plan. Both sides have as a driving force the desire to provide people with security in life.
Many work hard to manage their money well. They want to make sure that in their old age they will be secure.
Many work hard to take care of their bodies. They want to be secure against health problems.
The insurance industry is designed to provide security in the face of insecurity: flood, car crashes, broken bones and so on
The human heart desires security.
Yet, for all that politicians, financial advisors, personal trainers and insurance agents do, life is still so insecure. They say, “Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes.”
Easter begs to differ.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ANDREW THE BRINGER
Many enjoyed last week’s Last Supper Living Dramatization. Each disciple’s soliloquy provoked good thoughts.
I hope at least one of them provoked a good action. Remember how Andrew was identified? He was identified as Andrew the Bringer.
This Holy Week we move toward Easter. See if you too can be a bringer of others. Remember, Easter is bigger than Christmas. Remember, Easter is security!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LESSONS ON PRAYER
During our mid-week Lenten Services we have listened in to Jesus’ conversation with the disciples. This past Wednesday we overheard through Scripture Jesus’ prayer to the Father. (See John 17) Here are some things we can learn from listening to Jesus pray.
It is okay to look up when you pray. You do not have to fold your hands, bow your head and close your eyes.
Prayers can be longer.
We should pray about things eternal.
We should focus on true glory.
Pray for protection not an accumulation of possessions.
The mission of the Church is a focus of prayer.
So is growth in truth.