By Doug Redford
In a matter of weeks, we will gather together on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter and Christmas are the two most recognized Christian holidays: Christmas marking the birth of Jesus and Easter celebrating his resurrection from the dead. Our society has always placed greater emphasis on Christmas, though more from a commercial standpoint. There is some buildup toward Easter, but not nearly as much as occurs with Christmas. With both days, once they are over, life goes back to a normal routine, though the “recovery” from Christmas takes quite a bit more effort than with Easter.
Think about what those two days were like for Jesus himself and the society of his time. Following the day of his birth, little changed in Jesus and his world. Few felt the impact of his arrival except for the shepherds and those to whom they spread the news of the dramatic events they had witnessed (Luke 2:17, 18). Joseph and Mary knew something of what Jesus’ birth meant, but even they did not grasp the full meaning of why he had come to the world (Luke 2:49, 50).
The day after Jesus’ resurrection was very different, and that’s putting it mildly. At first there was great skepticism toward the women’s news that they had seen Jesus alive. But then, as that historic day unfolded, the testimony of the growing numbers of witnesses could not be denied. A movement had started, sparked by the movement of the stone from Jesus’ tomb. In a little over a month came the Day of Pentecost, the proclamation of the gospel, and the beginnings of the church. Life could not go back to normal, for a new kind of life was now being offered to the world: eternal life! The “recovery” from that Resurrection Sunday is still happening as more lives find recovery from sin and darkness through the grace and salvation that the risen Christ continues to provide.
As we take Communion together on this Easter Sunday, consider the different outcomes of Christmas and Easter by reflecting on how Jesus “came out” of, first, the womb of Mary at his birth; and second, the tomb at his resurrection: the event that we celebrate this day. And we look forward to another outcome: when Jesus comes out of the heavens at his return to take his people to reside with him for eternity. Jesus’ resurrection assures us of that triumphant outcome: “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19, New International Version).
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
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