How Many Easters Do You Need?

One lady wrote in to a question and answer forum.

"Dear Sirs,

Our preacher said on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health. What do you think?

Sincerely,
Bewildered.

Dear Bewildered,

“Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for 6 hours; run a spear thru his side...put him in an airless tomb for three days and see what happens."

There is the if/then relationship in life. Colombus said, “If the world is round then I can reach the West by sailing East. Enrico Fermi said, “If I can split the atom then it going to produce a whole lot of energy.” Bill Gates said, “If I copied the Apple-Macintosh desktop, then people would like Microsoft Windows more.” A student says, “If I go to medical school then I can be a doctor.” There is an if/then relationship that changed the world and certainly changes the life of believers.

Paul had his list of if/then... 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” NIV

Several years ago I traveled to the former Soviet Union to teach in a Bible School and attend their annual graduation. While there I was privileged to preach in one of the evangelical churches. It happens that there Christians celebrate the orthodox Easter along with the Russian Orthodox church, and the Sunday I was there was Easter Sunday. We entered the service and many times during the course of the morning the pastor leading would say with great conviction and elation, “Christ is Risen!” Then the congregation would respond with just as much conviction and elation, “He is risen indeed!” What a great experience that was to preach the Easter message to these friends who had for many years lived in the darkness of a Godless society and now knew the resurrected Lord.

Then it dawned on me that I was going to have two Easters this year. The one there in Moscow and Easter a couple of weeks later in Austin, Texas. After that epiphany I had another and realized that nobody needs two Easters. It only took one to do what Jesus did for us. One death and one resurrection changed everything.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the truth of the resurrection that gives us hope in all our lives. If You are in control (and I know you are) then I have nothing to worry about. You can handle it... life and everything in it. I trust You, Lord even though there are moments my thoughts and even my actions relapse into old patterns. In those moments bring me back to the truth and the power of the resurrection that changes everything. AMEN.

Blessings!
Pastor Roger