The ambiguity of Easter
Easter is an ambiguous time of restrained excitement and mixed emotions before we can actually celebrate the resurrection! We must first revisit the journey to the cross, a journey of pain, sadness, alienation and extreme agony. Yet, despite this arduous road, Jesus chose to walk through all of it because He knew the end result would allow for God’s wayward children — you and me — far off in the distance of time, to have a Saviour!
Such strength and vast love shown people who did not understand or even appreciate this sacrificial gift!
Then came resurrection morning and the world was forever changed by the resurrection of the one true Son of God. The ambiguity of Easter was wrapped up in this amazing gift from a loving, all-powerful, all-knowing God through a willing, submissive act of love for the whole world through Jesus.
Today we can, and should, choose to celebrate Easter every day because of the love, hope, joy and sacrifice of Christ so many years ago. As Christians, as believers, we know that no matter what our experiences on this journey of life and faith, joy comes in the morning.
My precious husband of almost 47 years was “promoted to glory” recently so I am personally experiencing ambiguity as this Easter approaches. Last year we were in Quebec, sharing with family and attending worship at St. Anne De Beaupre, a group of strangers who had come together to seek God in a community of worship.
What changes can happen in a year! However, I also personally know that joy does come in the morning of grief, loss, hurt, fear and loneliness. As the Bible clearly states in Psalm 30:5 (ESV), “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” He knows all our needs and stands ready to meet all of our needs according to His will and according to what is best for us.
I called upon God on the darkest night of my soul to give me a verse from His word to cling to as my family walked this part of our journey — a walk that would change our lives and leave us without our Ira. He directed me to this particular verse in 2 Corinthians 6:6, “We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.”
Jesus proved himself by His purity of faith, his understanding that there was no other way for the world to be freed from the slavery of sin, by his patience with our apathy toward His sacrifice, by His kindness that did not, and does not, condemn us because of His sincere love for all mankind! That same Holy Spirit within us enables us to keep looking ahead, moving on and facing the challenges of the next days.
Let this Easter be a resurrection morning of our souls, strengthening our faith and allowing us to know with utmost certainty that Jesus followed the will of God so we could claim the victory today and every day! Praise be to God!
Lauretta Balderston is a freelance writer.