Easter: Tragic Mistake or Deeper Magic?

Here is a nice video that Stephen Altrogge put together for Easter, poetically discussing the deeper magic* of Easter.





*-Whenever you can invoke The Chronicles of Narnia, that's a winner in my book!

Why Does the Resurrection Matter?

This great video was put together by the folks at Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis. May it be a blessing to you this Easter.

Why Do People Come to Church on Easter?

Yesterday, it was wonderful to worship the risen Lord Jesus Christ together with church members and visitors alike at Calvary Presbyterian Church. Our sanctuary was full, necessitating the addition of folding chairs to accommodate the attendees. I don't know if it was the joy of the occasion or just the greater-than-normal number of voices, but the singing of hymns seemed especially passionate, and (at least for me) was even more enjoyable than normal.

My son is a bright, inquisitive boy, and on our way home from church, he asked me a question.  "Why," he enquired, "do so many more people come to church on Easter than usual?"

I explained to him that there were probably two reasons.  On the one hand, at any given church, not all of the "regular attendees" are there every week.  Though it might be different people each time, 10-15% of them (just to pick a number) might not be there on any given Sunday.  But on Easter, almost all of them will make sure that they are there on THAT Sunday.

As for the rest of the increase in church attendance, I told him that there are also plenty of people who feel like they should come to church on Easter, but don't seem to feel such a compulsion the other 51 Sundays each year.  As I said before, my son is a very smart boy, and he would not let me off quite that easy.  He pressed, "But why do they want to come on Easter if they don't the rest of the time?"

I had to admit to him that I did not have a good answer.  Perhaps they're going out to lunch with family afterward.  Regardless, we should be thankful that they are there on that day, because that might be the only time in the year that they really hear about the grace of God through Jesus Christ available to sinners like us.

So, in the same inquisitive, non-judgmental sense that my son asked me, I ask you, "Why do people who don't go to church the rest of the year show up on Easter?"  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

He is risen, indeed!

When We Weep in the Dark

When it comes to bedtime, my daughter is a world-class staller.  She knows exactly which buttons to push, which means that on many occasions, I just happen to be faced with theological questions at her bed-side. This night was one of those times, as she initiated a conversation about what happened at Jesus' tomb on Easter morning.

I was glad to have that discussion with her for a couple reasons, even if it did mean she got a little less sleep than normal.  I was glad, because what happened at that tomb on that day is far more important than an extra five minutes of sleep (and more important than just about anything else, for that matter).

But I was also glad to contemplate the events of that morning as it brought to mind one of my favorite sermons that I have ever heard preached.  When I was in seminary, Zack Eswine preached a message entitled "When We Weep in the Dark" from John 20 at a chapel service.  It beautifully captured what it is that disciples of Jesus are supposed to see at the tomb.

Click here to listen to this wonderful sermon.

It's Friday...But Sunday's Coming!

S. M. Lockridge:

Comments from the Easter Prayer Breakfast

I was moved yesterday when I heard these words from President Obama, speaking at the 2nd Annual Easter Prayer Breakfast.  I found them worthy of passing along as I'm not sure I could have said it any better myself:

There is something about the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ that puts everything in perspective. We all live in the hustle and bustle of our work. And everybody in this room has weighty responsibilities, from leading churches and denominations, to helping to administer important government programs, to shaping our culture in various ways. And I admit that my plate has been full as well. The inbox keeps on accumulating.

But then comes Holy Week. The triumph of Palm Sunday. The humility of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. His slow march up that hill, and the pain and the scorn and the shame of the cross. And we're reminded that in that moment, he took on the sins of the world -- past, present and future -- and he extended to us that unfathomable gift of grace and salvation through his death and resurrection.  In the words of the book Isaiah: 'But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.'

This magnificent grace, this expansive grace, this amazing grace calls me to reflect. And it calls me to pray. It calls me to ask God for forgiveness for the times that I've not shown grace to others, those times that I've fallen short. It calls me to praise God for the gift of his Son and our Savior.

(HT: Zach Bartels)