Today, on Easter Sunday, I traveled through Cape Cod, Massachusetts while surrounded by a van full of loved ones. As 10 people conversed in the confinement of a vehicle, my younger cousin spoke words that cut like ice, momentarily ceasing all other conversations. He read the words that spread across the screen of his tablet: “The suicide blast in the eastern Pakistan city of Lahore killed at least 67 people, a local government spokesman told CNN. More than 300 others were injured, police official Haider Ashraf said. The explosion ripped through the heart of Lahore on Sunday evening, at a time when many families were at the city's Gulshan Iqbal Park to celebrate the Easter holiday. Many women and children were among the victims.” The air became thick with sadness and remorse as we reflected on the truth that had been laid before us.
Tonight, I sat down to write what I believed to be my article of the week: A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd (coming soon y’all). However, my mind continued to flicker to today’s tragedy, and I was reminded of an exchange I heard between two college kids this week, their words echoing in the back of my mind.
"Are you going home for Easter?" she asked the boy sitting across from her. "Mom is upset at me for not coming home, but I don't see the big deal. Easter is just another pointless holiday."
He laughed. "No, I'm not going home. My dad calls Easter 'The Forgotten Holiday.'"
My heart began to ache as I realized how few know the truth of Easter… and how few truly care. Suddenly, I could not find the words to write Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tribute. Rather, I longed to tell the story of Easter. In a way, the boy wasn’t wrong. Easter has become a forgotten holiday, masked by pastels and chocolate bunnies. We have disregarded the story of hope.
About 1,960 years ago, Jesus Christ sat with his disciples, celebrating Passover. As he broke the bread (representing his body) and shared the wine (a representation of his blood poured out for others), he addressed his disciples saying, “But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed." (Luke 22: 21-22) In a state of confusion, the 12 disciples rebuked Christ’s statement, declaring that none among them would betray his name. However, Judas (one of the disciples) had, indeed, so willingly sold Jesus to the Roman soldiers for gold. Jesus, who was pure and holy, accepted that the cross was to be his fate.
Following Passover, Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, praying, “'Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.' An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22: 42-44) The Roman leaders, who refused to believe that Christ was the Son of God, captured him, forcing the Messiah to carry his own cross, on which he would be crucified. As Jesus wore a crown of thorns and bore the deep gashes committed by whips, the soldiers continued to mock and sneer at his claim to be God’s son. Finally, “Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23: 46)
Jesus’s body was wrapped in cloth and placed in a tomb by a man named Joseph. Women who had followed Jesus from Galilee returned three days later, armed with spices and oils to ordain the body. However, as the women approached the tomb, they found it empty. “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’" (Luke 24: 4-7) As the women, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others began to spread the news of Jesus’s resurrection, confusion and doubt accompanied. However, Jesus appeared while some were discussing the disappearance while on the road to Emmaus, a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Then, Jesus appeared to his disciples. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24: 46-47) Then, Jesus ascended into Heaven before their eyes.
Today, I was reminded of the immensity and importance of the cross. About 1,960 years ago, a savior laid down his life for the persecutor in Pakistan, as well as the two college kids that declared his death and resurrection “forgotten." In the midst of our confused and hurting world, there is a day to celebrate unceasing grace and unconditional love. About 1,960 years ago, my perfect Jesus paid the price for an imperfect me.
“For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but live an eternal life.” John 3:16
Here is a link to the CNN news article.
