Strong spirits: parade and beyond
What really happened on Easter
Have you ever been in a parade? I was once, in university, and it was a rollicking good time!
Did you know Jesus was in a parade once, too? Only, he was the only entry - him and the young donkey he was riding. You can read about it in Luke 19 (or any of the other gospels) or in Zechariah 9:9. We celebrated that event last week on Palm Sunday.
See, Jesus was in the parade - was the parade - for a very specific reason. He was riding into Jerusalem to let the world know he was the messiah, the savior, and the King of kings. He was fulfilling the prophecy made in Zechariah. People were very excited! But many or most of the people misunderstood. They thought he'd come to re-establish Israel as an independent nation; to throw off the Roman oppressors. He had a much bigger purpose: re-establishing the Kingdom of God on earth for all people everywhere.
At this time, Jesus was very popular and well-loved as a teacher, healer, deliverer, and miracle worker. He was more. He is more. He is the King of kings.
When the people discovered he wasn't going to free them from Rome, they got upset. It cost him his life - but only temporarily! He was, He is, the King of kings. Is he your king?
Then... The most amazing event in the history of the world is celebrated on Sunday! Jesus' resurrection from the dead! I know you all are aware of that. Resurrection Sunday has been celebrated ever since that first one so many years ago. But with all that time, things can be lost, significance can be dimmed. We can forget what really happened.
What really happened is that Jesus conquered sin and death. He won our total freedom over evil. He established eternal life for all who would choose it. He fulfilled his mission on earth and now reigns as King of kings for all eternity.
Quite a lot. Much more than bunnies or eggs or chocolate or ham - as much as I love all of that! The ultimate act of love by the One who is love. And why? The apostle John sums it up this way: "...that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) I invite you to take that step of faith and live life the way it was meant to be.
