BENjamin

Easter is obviously a very exciting and meaningful time for Christians. The death and resurrection of Jesus is one of the most significant foundations of faith (I say ‘one of’ because I think his incarnation/birth, life, and teachings are up there as well). This year for me the theme of joy surrounding the Easter celebration was very pervasive. Its not because this year’s holiday was necessarily filled with more joy than any past Easter celebrations, but as I reflected on this occasion, the theme of joy just kept echoing in my head.

 I think part of it is actually due to some lack of joy in my life. It has been a pretty long and difficult winter and I’ve just been kind of frustrated with questions about what I’m doing now and what I should do next among other things. I also often get weighed down with the many evils and injustices that plague this fallen world.

I think it was in light of those things that the theme of joy just seemed to be so fitting. Yes there are a lot of crappy things that happen throughout the world and there is a lot of suffering, but Jesus’ message was the good news of God’s coming kingdom, where injustices and suffering would be no more. What greater message of overcoming could there be than that of the resurrection? In the midst of great suffering and death, fear and doubt (amongst the disciples), God brought forth new life saying suffering and death is not the end and it is not what God desires. It is a message of hope and a message of joy. God can overcome the despair, God will overcome the despair.  The resurrection is a reminder of God’s power and God’s plan. Sin and death have lost their sting. God brings life and a new kingdom through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. So there is hope and where there is hope there can be joy. 

Usually people make resolutions at the beginning of the new year, but I figured it was fitting to consider a resolution at Easter since the resurrection represents a new life. My resolution is to try to live more and more in the hope and joy of the resurrection. Its not always easy for me. I am generally a more low key guy that keeps things pretty even-keel. But I think its appropriate to smile more and live with more joy. I tend to let the despairities around me keep me in that Saturday between the death and resurrection. By no means is this to say that I can overlook those despairities, the injustices of society, or the hurts of my neighbors. No, my faith in Jesus, tells me that he desires me to oppose such things, to love my neighbor, to be merciful and compassionate, and to seek justice. But Easter is a reminder to do those things – to live in the Saturday – with the knowledge that a resurrection is coming. That tears of joy fall amidst the tears of pain, dancing is ok even among despair, mourning gives way to singing, laughter overcomes the crying, darkness turns to light, and where death seems to reign, life will claim the ultimate victory. My Easter resolution is to smile more as hope gives birth to joy!