I've been thinking a lot about Easter lately. I suppose this blog's a day or so late, but . . .
Here's where it starts for me. I've always thought that since God has told us to celebrate Jesus' resurrection each Sunday, there's really no reason to celebrate it on a particular day. Especially considering that the day we celebrate it isn't actually the day that Jesus was resurrected. Easter was actually marked or identified by the Council of Nicea in 325AD. The bottom line for me has always been that it just isn't something God has told us to celebrate. And adding to that, there's no evidence that any of the Apostles or even the early Church fathers mentioned, much less practiced this holiday. Because of this lack of any biblical authority, I've always said "no thanks." Let me just add that my thoughts on Christmas are pretty much the same.
As I see more and more congregations going to Easter services I'm left wondering why? What's the point? Why are they doing it? And more importantly, does this make God happy? Well, I can't answer the last question. I just don't know. But I am much closer to offering a more confident answer to the first couple of questions. Here it is . . . more people go to "church" on that day than any other. These folks who are presumably lost are there for one reason and one reason only - to celebrate Easter. This is an open door. Is it a door that God opened? I'm not certain. But I am sure that it's an opportunity to engage people in a conversation about Jesus Christ and the resurrection that provides hope to all men everywhere.
One thing I am sure of, the Church has been missing too many opportunities and closing too many doors. Perhaps this is one we should be walking through?
jeremy, i myself don't care one way or another whether we celebrate Christ's resurrection more so on a particular sunday than on others. i mean we focus on missions for some sundays and on forgiveness or giving or all sorts of other topics preachers decide (usually it's their decision) on others. why not have one where we really go all out on thinking about the resurrection? but i really don't care a great deal myself. however, i do wonder where you found that God told us to celebrate Jesus' resurrection each sunday? or even to worship as a congregation each sunday? i'm not trying to be argumentative, but if there are verses that say those things, i want to know, because i've gone a different direction in my own views.
ReplyDeletebut i do believe easter is "an open door" as you call it. so if people who usually don't think on Christ are going to this one weekend of the year, i want to support and encourage them in that. and this is especially true where i live (tanzania). easter is the biggest holiday of the year. period. for everyone. it's our christmas. i have to take advantage of that openness to Christ.
but, too, i can't imagine how divisive and confusing it would be to Christians here if i refused to participate in easter -- even if i explained to them "good" reasons. i also think it amounts to little more than divisiveness in the states. if half the country is celebrating Jesus together and i refrain because it's not the actual day, or i'm supposed to do it every week, i'm the one promoting disunity. personal opinion.
First of all, thanks for reading and taking time to share your thoughts. I really appreciate the conversation.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I have always thought of participating in communion as a time of celebration and reflection back to the entire passion narrative (including the resurrection). From the way I understand it, we share the communion each first day of the week. That's what I meant from my comment. Do you agree/disagree?
Concerning your other thoughts. I agree. You have to understand my background and where I serve to see how big of a deal that is. I have grown up in a legalistic environment. I've been taught to be "conservative" and "traditional" in order to be scriptural. That is a tough trend to break. Over the course of the past few years I have seen that attitude and approach does not reflect Jesus'. So I am trying to move my life to be a closer reflection of Jesus. That's a long and painful process.
Also, God has called me to serve a congregation that is steeped in the mindset that I am trying to escape. I am trying to bring them with me on my journey one small step at a time.
Why would people Choose to worship GOD only twice a year? Cristmas. Easter. Wouldn't that seem like it is less about the actual dates but the events themselves? I see no problems with the celebrations, I have an issue with only celebrating and ahowing reverence twice a year. People saving their praise and worship and simply glossing over the birth and the death burial and resurrection of Christ the rest of the year! If people are walking through the doors at those times then why? Simple. It's the obvious, deeper significance of the birth of CHRIST and the death burial and ressurection of CHRIST. It is A LOT about the HOPE Christ offers us. We don't deserve Heaven or God, but through CHRIST we have hope. He is The Way The Truth and The Light. I wonder how many people would chose to be faithful if congregations took all the pomp and circumstance they throw into two dates a year and celebrated like that year around?
ReplyDeletethanks, jeremy. i've really enjoyed reading your blog, and will continue to do so. i sense that you really mean it when you say you enjoy the conversation. i also enjoy thinking through these things with others.
ReplyDeleteso i'm with you that our time of communion looks back on the life, death, AND resurrection of Christ. but i don't think i'm with you necessarily that it be the first day of the week, only the first day of the week, and every first day of the week. we know from early church history that Christians were sharing communion every sunday. and acts 20:7 (i was raised pretty traditional as well) gives us the example that at least this one sunday they shared it. but it seems to me that in acts 2 they're sharing it often.
[i think] i believe meeting on sunday is about tradition and convenience. i certainly don't have a problem with it -- even enjoy it. but i do think it's done some harm in that Christians are not choosing to meet together throughout their weeks (as i think was more the intention). [i also think] i believe that Christianity does away with special days and customs and practices -- including a particular day and time for worship. what do you think?
i'm guessing our backgrounds are pretty similar. (maybe these questions are better asked by email. if so, you can find my email on my blog under the 'partners' page. but...) where are you from? where do you preach now? i'd be interested in hearing your story...
Anonymous - you made some really good points. You forced me to think more, thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf I am understanding you correctly - then I agree completely. We've turned events that were was not only significantly more meaningful to the year, but normative as well, into ritualized oppotunities to do what we should do every day. The attitude that so many people sincerely demonstrate a couple times a year should guide our daily thoughts. If we did that, I too wonder how many more people would give their lives to Christ and faithfully serve Him? That's a question that we should really try to answer
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.