Pastor's Blog: "The Main Event"
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So much of life involves preparing ourselves for major experiences. One of the ways we do that is by involving ourselves in preliminary activities that build up to the main event. You go to the movies and you sit through the previews, which gives you time to get your popcorn and coke before the feature film begins. You go to a concert and there are “warm up” acts that prepare your ear for the mainline act that will follow. Sports enthusiasts understand terms like undercards and early rounds, which function as lead-ups to the big attraction.
I’ve reflected upon this thought this past week as we’ve gathered each day for some form of worship experience as preparation for Easter. In many ways Holy Week warms up our hearts and voices for Easter praise.
The famous American author and screenwriter John Irving wrote a rather thought-provoking novel some years ago, titled A Prayer for Owen Meany, later made into the movie Simon Birch. Published in 1989, it tells the story of John Wheelwright and his best friend Owen Meany as they grow up together in a small New Hampshire town during the 1950s and 1960s. According to John’s narration, Owen is a remarkable boy in many ways, believing himself to be God’s instrument as he sets out to fulfill that high and holy calling he has taken upon himself.
At one point in the story Owen has some profound and probing observations about the Christian faith and the resurrection in particular. He says, “I find Holy Week is draining; no matter how many times I have lived through (Jesus’) crucifixion, my anxiety about his resurrection is undiminished. I am terrified that, this year, the resurrection won’t happen.” He continues on: “Anyone can be sentimental about the Nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event; if you don’t believe in the resurrection, you’re not a Christian believer” (pp.250-51).
You may have come to this Easter drained because of all you’ve had going on in recent days. Even those who have been on Spring Break find themselves coming home in need of another vacation. Regardless of what has involved you in the days prior to Easter, rest assured that if we take the resurrection seriously, then life after Easter will never be the same. The new day God made possible in raising Jesus from the dead gives purpose and significance to everything we know on this earth. Even more importantly, it gives us hope for the life to come, knowing how because of Jesus death has forever been swallowed up in victory.
No wonder we can anticipate larger than usual crowds at this Sunday’s service. After all, who would want to miss out on a major celebration like that?
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14).