Jumping for Joy

You will take note from my post yesterday that at this time of year I feel compelled to warn us against the trivialization and commercialization of Easter. I believe the shallow “happiness” sentiment expressed by way of bunnies and colored eggs is nothing less than the spirit of antichrist.

That being said, however, Christ’s resurrection is the happiest of all historical events, and should fill us with so much joy we cannot contain it.

In the Greek language there is a word for unrestrained joy. In Jude 24, 1 Peter 4:13 and Matthew 5:12, the Greek word is translated “exceeding joy,” denoting excessive joy and delight. It is derived from the word “to leap.” Somewhat humorously, we have an English equivalent expression: “jumping for joy.” I should point out that this “leaping” word for joy is not the word normally used. It seems the New Testament writers wanted a word that could express eternal joy irrespective of circumstances: “to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exceeding joy (1 Pe 4:13).

No matter how hapless yours, or my, circumstances may be at this moment, let's determine not to  let it keep us from having a “jumping for joy” Easter Sunday on the inside!

Easter Eggs, Bunnies and Beautiful Crosses

It's that time of year for the Seeker-Friendly churches to have their annual Easter Egg hunts.  What the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs have in common is a mystery to me.  I believe these icons of Easter must be terribly offensive to our Lord: they make a mockery of this holyday.  Do most Christians think these things are harmless?

In the same vein, jewelry stores offer special seasonal sales on diamond and ruby studded silver and gold crosses—shiny symbols of Christian faith. But are they?  The cross of Jesus' day was an instrument of torture and death.  When Jesus told His followers they needed to pick up their crosses, they understood His meaning.  

How many nominal Christians wear a cross to identify their faith without fully understanding its significance?  It seems to me a glamorous jeweled gold cross can be as much an offense to Christ as the Easter Bunny.  In speaking of those who do not take the death and resurrection (and the blood) of Jesus seriously, the writer of Hebrews says they have insulted the Spirit of grace for treating the blood of the covenant as a common thing. (Heb. 10:29)  Is the Easter Bunny harmless?  I don't think so.