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Signs Easter is approaching…
- Major supermarkets selling Hot Cross Buns since January;
- The Cadbury’s Chocolate advertisement with the big truck deliveries is running. Not to mention the selection of chocolates available seem to make the traditional Humpty Dumpty and Elegant Rabbit insignificant;
- Grocery catalogues are filled with Seafood, and items for Lent;
- Camping and Outdoor retailers are promoting camping and fishing equipment with the last group of public holidays indicating winter is near.
With the court cases for institutional abuses being prominent in the media in recent years, you could be forgiven for thinking that the abhorrent behaviour of certain members of the church clergy represents the whole church membership. These alone could justify the demise of societies faith in the institutional church, and even in the existence of a loving God altogether. However, there is statistical evidence that the church as a whole is not in decline, rather new and modern expressions of the Gospel message are growing.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have not just accepted all things by faith but have done my own research into various areas of Christianity to support what I believe. Let me first be absolutely clear. I do not in anyway agree with nor condone the abuse that has been perpetrated by those members of the church who have violated the trust position that they hold or have held. I too am horrified and disgusted when I hear of these despicable acts.
So despite all this is Easter still relevant. I suggest that it is because of these issues in society that Easter is still relevant. Let me explain.
I did my own research a number of years back when at University and discovered that there was indisputable evidence that a man named Jesus Christ, who was born in a Manger, performed all kinds of miracles. These included, deaf, mute and blind people regaining use of these senses; small portions of food being multiplied to feed the masses; water being turned into wine at a wedding banquet, and nature responding instantly to a declared word.
The research also showed that this same man was crucified on a cross by the Roman authorities, at the whim of pious and religious people. The tomb that this man named Jesus Christ was buried in, enclosed by a large boulder that took multiple men to move, miraculously rolled away three days later without human intervention. When his followers came to conduct burial rituals, they found that Jesus Christs body was no longer present, only the clothes he was buried in remained.
So whether you believe in and follow Jesus Christ’s teachings, outside of faith in the Bible, there is much evidence to prove he existed as a man.
Looking specifically at some of his teaching, we can learn that his purpose on earth was not to begin the institutionalised church as we know it. How can this be evidenced? The Bible, more specifically the Gospels are an account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ told from four different perspectives: people of different cultural, educational and religious backgrounds. The languages of the day included, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Throughout the Bible, the word we associate with as ‘church‘ is translated from the Greek word, ‘ecclesia.’ Literal translation into English is actually ‘the gathering of people‘ not an institution.
Jesus’ mission on earth was the restore the relationship between humankind and God. The relationship that was destroyed when sin entered the world at the Garden of Eden. The Old Testament of the Bible is full of accounts of man’s attempts to reconnect with God through striving, sacrifices, rituals and religious practices. A once-off sacrifice for all sin, past, present and future was required, so all humankind could be in a restored relationship with God. This is what Jesus was to do, His life was to be given as that only sacrifice. His life of miracles, signs and wonders were to demonstrate the power of God and His interest in all aspects of human life.
The verse from the Bible that motivated me to write this blog is recorded in Matthew’s Gospel. The seventh chapter, verse twenty-one records the words of Jesus as “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Jesus words here give a clear indication that knowing him is the key to restoring your relationship with God. ‘The will of my Father‘ was not about knowing of Him from a distance, through religious practices, but to know Him through relationship.
‘The will of My Father’ is that ‘none shall perish.’ The second book Peter chapter 3 verse 9 puts it this way: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.’
In the Garden of Eden, before sin entered the world, God had a close and intimate relationship with Adam and Eve, humankind. They communed with one another, God would regularly spend time with them, ‘walking in the cool of the evening’ one translations says. God treasured this relationship so much that once sin entered the world, He sought to have it restored. As sin entered the world through a human, it could only be eliminated through a human. That’s why the sacrifices of animals and religious practices of the Old Testament were not able to restore relationship. People strived for acceptance and reconciliation, but these would never restore what was lost. After all it was a relationship that was broken by sin, not a religion.
God desires so much for all humankind to be restored into relationship with Him. We were given free will at creation to decide what we will do about this offer from God.
When you have a relationship with someone, when you know them, you have direct one-on-one access to them. However, if you only know of someone, your relationship is not close. You do not have direct access to them, you might be able to make posts on their social media accounts, send emails to them, hoping they would be the reader, and you don’t have their personal mobile.
Some religions teach that you can only access God (or their gods) through certain rituals and practices, even praying in a certain way, through certain people, animals or nature. These requirements set barriers that prevent relationships from developing as it should. As I was growing up, if I wanted to speak to my mum or dad I could do so freely. Now as an adult I still can. About 2700 kms of geography and a different timezone may separate us physically. I know my mum and dad, I have their phone numbers, I know the usually activities they fill their days with. I understand that they love me, made many sacrifices for my siblings and I, and have always had my best interest at heart. I also know that I can call them at anytime of the day, or night. Likewise they have my direct contact details and can contact me anytime by various means.
If God does not want that anyone should perish, then it goes to say that He will make sacrifices for us, He has our best interests at heart. He desires relationship with us and can communicate with us any where and anytime. The question is, how often do you engage in two way conversation with God. Do you know Him or only know about Him. If our response from Jesus, when we call Him ‘Lord, Lord’ is one of affection and embrace, it would indicate you are in relationship with Him, not having a distant religious experience.
I suggest that Easter is still relevant. Whilst there are people in the world who have not encountered the love of God, and had an opportunity to learn about the God who doesn’t want them to perish, then His desire’s have not been fulfilled. If you know God, you want to learn more about Him, and be in relationship with Him, you will experience the benefits that comes with a one-on-one connection with Him, rather than the barriers that religious rites that dictates.
As to those despicable acts mentioned earlier. We live as people with a free will in a fallen world as described by our sinful nature. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. People do things that cause grievous physical and emotional harm to others as they are driven by their own selfish desires for temporal personal gratification. This would not occur where a persons morals, motives and values are driven by a restored and intimate relationship with God. The Good News is, that the life, death and resurrection of the man Jesus Christ provides the only way to have a restored relationship with God, where sinful desires and deplorable evil acts are not part of ones desires.
Easter should never be limited to a ‘religious experience’ or an excuse to indulge in chocolate, hot cross buns, or an extended holiday. While enjoying those things, take the time to reflect on how you view God, do you want to know Him rather than just know of Him. Your life will be better for it.
If this blog has convicted you to do something personally about the state of your relationship with God, click here where you can learn more about having a restored relationship with God.
