In our schools presentation this
Easter we are asking the question – what it is all about?
If you look at the shops they
have been full of chocolate eggs from the beginning of January – so a visitor
to this planet would say that it's all about chocolates, sweets and
over-eating. Of course, there are rabbits
and lambs and other small furry things as well – that speak of Spring and new
life.
So there you have it – a nice
comfortable festival to mark the end of winter, the new life of Spring, and a
chance to eat too many sweets. Is that
the truth about Easter?
The truth is something far more
gritty, a story shot through with deepest darkness and with glorious
light. It is a story that takes us
through all the emotions, from betrayal and abandonment, torture and death –
all the way to dizzy joy and laughter.
This poem by Megan Carter
captures the emotion of this well known story:
Chocolate eggs and cuddly
bunnies
Mark the start of Easter time.
But where’s the cross, the
Lord’s great passion
That took our sin both yours and
mine?
Once a babe but now a king
Born of David’s royal line
See the crown of tangled thorns
Rammed upon the head divine.
Jeering now they strip and beat
Him
Nail Him to a cross on high
Throwing dice they shout and
mock him
Watching there for Him to die.
Little did they know the outcome
That it was the Father’s plan
That the Son should give His
life
Our sacrifice, the Paschal Lamb.
Taken down and wrapped in spices
In a borrowed tomb He’s laid,
Stone rolled hard against the
entrance
Guards and seal securely made.
The women and disciples seek Him
He who death could not hold down
Risen now, forever living,
Wearing now the victor’s crown.
He the firstfruits of the
Father,
Secures for us a heavenly place
What great joy and celebrations
When we see Him face to face.
I hope we can put aside our chocolate eggs and sweets for a
while, to really appreciate the journey Jesus took to the cross, to death and
to resurrection life. Because he took
that journey, alone, for you and for me.
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