Christ is Risen! He is risen, indeed – Alleluia!
Life in the time of Jesus was hard – maybe even mean. There are plenty of examples of this. Justice was often quick and oftentimes harsh. Look at what happened to Jesus! He was celebrating Passover with his disciples on Thursday night, and by 3:00pm the next day, He had been executed. Look at the stories of the various disciples – thrown in jail, beaten, stoned and chained – not even a remote hint of 1st Amendment rights here! Life could be very harsh. If a widow did not have a family to take her in – living as a beggar was not altogether uncommon; neither was starving to death. If one came from among the poor, a harsh life and deprivation of all types was the expectation. One of the most poignant stories in the Bible is the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Remember how much Lazarus suffered as he hoped to get the most meager bits of food from the rich man – even what fell off the table would satisfy poor Lazarus. Life could be very harsh.
And then came Jesus – turning the world upside down. He talked about living life as servants. He talked about radical things: like telling his followers that the if one desired to be the greatest, then the path to that is by serving others. He said things that challenged the conventions of the time: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5.5-10) This was radical stuff for the people of his time! He said this to a culture that viewed wealth and power as signs of God’s favor. Jesus came and turned the conventions of his day and age on their head!
The Resurrection makes a huge difference! When Jesus rose from the dead – it placed a huge exclamation point at the end of his teachings. Because of the Resurrection, what our Savior taught and what He did continue to impact the lives of his followers – even to this very day! Is it any wonder to read what Jesus’ early followers did?
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4.32-35)
I want to tell you friends that the Resurrection makes a difference. Because of the perspective that the Resurrection gives to the things of this world, the early Christians were not tied down to their things – their possessions. They knew that nothing could compare to the relationships that Christ offers – with God and with each other. It provides us with a perspective that is radical and otherworldly. The Resurrection tells us that this life – the years that we live here – are but a grain of sand among the mounds of millennia that God will grant to us. The Resurrection tells us that our troubles and trials here in this life cannot compare to what God has in store for an eternity. The Resurrection elevates God’s love for us in Christ and our love for each other beyond anything else that this world can offer. It puts everything into perspective.
A friend of mine served a church in southern California. He was having a very bad year. The pressures he felt were affecting his relationships and even his health. Because of his troubles, his life was miserable. Behind the property where his church was located was a tall hill. One day, in frustration he stepped out of the church office. He saw the hill and – almost out of frustration - decided to climb it. As he ascended, he began to notice that the church was getting smaller and smaller. As he climbed – the church property began to blend into the surrounding area. By the time he reached the top, the source of all his troubles and trials and sufferings became a little postage stamp-sized patch in a huge quilted sea of humanity. He thought, “How could I have let this little, tiny piece of the big picture cause me so much agony?”
You see beloved, the Resurrection of Jesus provides us a sense of perspective; a sense of what matters; a sense for the eternal. When we view our life through the lens of eternity – how can anything in this world compare with what the Resurrection offers? Easter makes a difference.
– Because of Easter, the fearful disciples of Christ became the force God used to plant the Christian Church. Peter was turned from a man who was cowed by a young maiden into the bold preacher who proclaimed Christ. The Resurrection of Jesus takes us beyond fear.
– Because of Easter, Paul was turned from a persecutor of Christians to a church planter. The Risen Christ changes us to bold defenders and proclaimers of God’s love and care for us in Christ.
– Because of the Resurrection and because of Easter, Mary and Martha found out that the grave and death were not to be feared that Jesus is the Resurrection and Life. The risen Christ says that we too shall rise.
– Because of Easter – the early church became a community of believers that never felt alone, lonely or abandoned, because the needs of the individual believer became the concern of the entire community.
– Because of Easter, poverty and need were addressed as the believers of the early church saw their brothers and sisters in Christ as the extended Christian family whose needs were met by altruistic sacrifice and generosity.
– Because of Easter, faith abounded. Thomas called Didymus worshipped Christ when He saw the wounds in the Lord’s hands, feet and side.
– Because of Easter the message of the crucified and risen Christ blazed across the continents – infecting those who heard with faith and hope and joy.
In the early church, Easter made a difference! We’ve looked at what happened to the followers of the Way in the early Church because of Easter. And, beloved, Easter makes a difference to you. It is real. Are you so weighed down with worry and pain that you can’t see beyond the immediate? Easter tells us that there is so much more to life. We don’t have the answers to the suffering that good people endure in this life. Yea – from this perspective it is a question that begs to be answered. We do know, however, that because of Christ’s love for us – we can be assured that the risen Christ knows about our pain. He knows about our trials. He knows about our fears. He knows about our poverty. He knows about our doubts.
Because of Easter – we know that God is with us and that He loves us. Because of Easter – we know that God is working a way to empty graves and to bring life to hearts that are dead. Because of Easter – you, beloved, will be blessed to see a new day – a day where face to face and hand in hand with Jesus you will be blessed with life and that more abundantly. Take on life with renewed zest and vigor and joy, dear friends, because Christ is Risen! Amen.
