(Tripp Ledger – 4/15/2014)

The Joy of Easter

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

As this Lenten season draws to a close, we look forward to the upcoming Easter weekend – the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection.  This verse really captures the spirit of Lent as Paul says that to know Christ is to know not only the power of his resurrection, but it also requires participating in the sufferings of Jesus.  Many of us are much more comfortable with Easter – the message of resurrection and new life – then we are with the rest of the Lenten time – which traditionally focuses more on the suffering of Christ leading up to his death on the cross.  This truth is also mirrored in our own lives.  We love to read the parts of the Bible that speak about eternal life and God’s love for us, but we don’t like to hear the parts that speak about the suffering that we, even as believers, will inevitably face in this fallen world.

A passage that has captured my attention during Lent this year is Hebrews 12:2-3 which reads: For the joy set before him he [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (NIV).  Sometimes as we hear the account of the Passion of our Lord – his betrayal, trial, brutal punishment, and horrible death on a cross – we forget that He willingly subjected himself to all these things because of the great joy that was set before Him.  There was something greater than the pain that Jesus was looking ahead to.  That joy was centered on the reality that His death would make it possible for all who trust in Him to not only be forgiven but also to spend eternity with God as His chosen people.  That joy made it possible for Jesus to endure even the horrors of the cross.

This same joy is set before us.  God has promised forgiveness and eternal life to all who would trust in the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is that joy that gives Christ followers the strength and hope to endure the hardships we will face in this life.  The truth is that believers and unbelievers suffer alike in this world – we face the same hardships.  The difference is, because of Easter, the Christian has a powerful hope.  We can endure the sufferings on earth with joy because we know those temporary trials are inconsequential compared to the eternal blessings of heaven. Sadly, for those who die apart from Christ, the sufferings of this earth are just a foretaste of the eternal sufferings that await those who reject God’s Son.  So if you are living in that Hope today – Happy Easter!  And if you do not have that hope, I encourage you to go to church this Easter Sunday and learn for yourself the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.