He Is Not Here...

 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6)

            It’s Easter. We’re supposed to celebrate the single most important event in the history of the universe. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that it is the single most important event in the history of the  universe. I’m just not good at celebrating. And I think a lot of people have the same problem. I know pastors struggle with Christmas and Easter – and maybe other holidays. I mean, no matter how important the reason is for celebration, chances are good that there’s not much you can say about it that hasn’t been said ten thousand time in the last ten years.

            For some people, the tradition and reputation are central to the celebration. They don’t mind saying “He is risen” or “He is risen indeed” repeatedly. It’s great news, after all! And it is great news. It’s not about us, or about how we feel. It’s about Him! He is risen! Well, yes, and He was risen yesterday, and He’ll be risen the day after tomorrow. If you’re all smiles about it and can’t wait to tell everyone today, will you be less excited on Tuesday, or on May 19^th? What does it mean to you that He is risen? Indeed? For some people, I suspect it means little more than having the family over for dinner. For others it means baskets of treats.

            Easter is, effectively, an anniversary. If I had a human relationship – like a marriage, what would I want to do with that day? Two basic ideas come to mind. I would want to do something with that person. I would want to do something we both enjoy and/or that would matter somehow. Since I’m into gardening – something like buying and planting a tree together, or buying a bench or swing, or something else that would make the garden area about us and our relationship. It would need to be something that wasn’t only about the day and not something in which the “us” would get lost in the “it.”

            I like this idea, but I’m going to have to think about the what and how of it. Ideas are welcome. In the meanwhile…Easter Concert