The Symbol of Hope at Easter

Every spring I desire to do the same things, for tradition’s sake- a big plate of fried fish and chips, a walk through the melting snow and slush, a pitiful attempt at coloring eggs that will never be eaten, and sitting in the rising sun thinking on the empty tomb. I do this to focus myself in this changing time of year; to focus not on the summer to come, but on all that God has done for me.

Many people wear a cross to remind them of their faith. I prefer a different symbol. The greatest symbol of faith followers of Jesus have is the empty tomb. We may focus on the cross, but it is the tomb emptied of death that brings the most fear and hope to the world. The empty tomb challenges us to think beyond the moment to what really matters.

On Easter Morning, for the past several years, I rise, pause to look out over all the Lord has given to my care, and think on the empty tomb. This is the time of Easter I look forward to each year- not for the tradition, but for the hope and fear it brings to my life. You are probably saying, “A pastor afraid of the empty tomb?” Yes, I do fear it. I fear it for those I love, my friends, my aquaintances, and my enemies.

I fear the tomb for what it means for all of us. It means that to live, to have life, to have a life worth anything more than what I earn laboring, there must be death – the payment of all I have done wrong. I fear all people everywhere will not accept the payment God offers based on the death, burial, and resurrection of the One who offers us new life, Jesus.

I fear the tomb, for it is the symbol of the culmination of the pain and suffering Jesus felt on this earth before the night of His betrayal. It dredges up visions of the intense torture He experienced leading to the cross and the pain, shame, and slow death upon the cross. I fear the tomb, for it asks me to examine myself and my role- my sin- in the death of the One who loves me more than any other.

This fear brings me hope; for I do not rely on my own work to pay for all I have done wrong. Rather, I look to the empty tomb. The empty tomb that waits for me to die to self and live for my Savior, the Conqueror of Death, Jesus. In the empty tomb that I fear so much, I rest in the hope that is Jesus.

Romans 5:18-19 reads,
“18So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. (HCSB)”

I will rise on the 3rd day, before anyone else, and think of the empty tomb, leaving my fear and embracing hope. Taking hold of the hope Jesus brings by conquering the grave, I go on with my day and rejoice in the freedom He has given me to offer His hope, without fear, to the world. His righteous action has freed me and can free you from the bondage of sin.

How do you want it to end?

The past few days I have been challenged with my own mortality. Not so much that I will die or am dying or am afraid to die. Rather it is the kind of life that I will live and what I want to accomplish while I live that I am concerned about.

I assume this feeling is pretty unnatural for everyday life, but after getting fired 2 weeks ago I am doing some soul searching and examining what I desire to accomplish with all I do in life. I keep coming back to one thing, just one thing that I strive to do with all I have in this life.

It is rather interesting and different, but it keeps me focused on what I am called to do and who I want to be.

"I want to end up sliding into home, battered, beaten, bruised and bloodied. I want to have Jesus pick me up off the ground at heavens gates pull out the flaming arrows from the shield and armor, brush the dirt off my shoulder, pull the sod from my helmet as He removes it. I want Him to be proud of the way I led my family, my church, my friends and enemies to know Him more and more each day. I want to hear the words from His mouth as He welcomes me Home, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your rest.'"

I am most concerned for my family in this vision... As a task oriented man I am afraid that I will not have the ability to teach and lead them as the Pastor-Dad I want to be. Loving, kind, compassionate, caring, encouraging and faithful to my children in all things. The task of Dad has not been one that I feel capable to accomplish on my own. I must ask my Father in heaven for help and bring my brothers around me for support. We must be the church that grows believers to be the fathers and family we need to be.

A great calling but a hard life to get to the bitter end.