This Sunday smacks me the hardest yet—I’m sad about our Easter traditions. It’s the first time I can’t worship in-person with my church family. And I’m oh so lonely for them.
The smiles, the hugs, the laughter, and just plain old joyful togetherness. No church-wide egg hunts sprawling over the lawn, no shopping bonanzas for Easter outfits. No passion plays and choral programs. No sunrise services.
Oh, how I’ve taken it all for granted.
Because of the anxiety abounding in our uncertain world, I pray we can focus on the real reason for Easter.
If ever we needed the hope of the resurrection, now is the time.
And I reflect back on my Jerusalem visit to the proposed site of the crucifixion—the eerie Place of the Skull:
As I ponder the barren ridge,
I find no beauty etched into the creviced skin of this lonely mount.
A place ever remembered for evil’s seeping plague,
Of Hell’s rejoicing.
A fitting place of unlovely for a despicable act—
The crucifixion of perfection.
The one flawless being to ever walk this orb, forced to scale the cliff’s cruel height.
Stumbling over loose stones and knifed outcroppings in a bloody ascent
to unfathomable agony.
Reviled by many, beloved by the few.
Living water freely offered but misunderstood and squandered.
Poured out onto the thirsty earth by wastrels.
And I see sorrow etched in the chalky rock.
Witness to the blackened hearts hurling insults like sharpened spikes
shouting “Crucify Him.”
And with the final hammer’s blow,
love, mercy, and grace hung on a tree that terrible day.
Death celebrated in a manic victory dance as darkness overtook the land.
And for three long days—hopelessness prevailed.
And fear reigned supreme.
But the third day—
The resurrected hope of mankind strode out of the gloom,
And crushed the enemy with eternal triumph over smirking death.
Shining his light of grace on us—
Sinners unworthy of his mercy but so beloved
he battled death once and for all
and declared Victory for us—forever.
We will carry this Easter with us—tucked into the year of the plague. The year we sit in our pajamas and watch Easter services telecast from empty churches surrounded by empty pews.
As we hunker down trying to keep fear at bay—
Here are a few ways to make it a special day:
1. Carve out time alone to reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice.
2. Discuss the meaning of the resurrection at the dinner table.
3. Listen to songs about Jesus death and resurrection. (Hillsong-Man of Sorrows is a great one)
4. Take a nature walk, look around, be thankful for the beauty in our world. (Bonus—immersing in nature reduces stress levels).
5. Walk outside (inside if raining) and retrace Jesus’ final hours. Start with Gethsemane—read the verses, reflect— move to another area, read the betrayal, the trial, etc… And continue through the resurrection, moving locations at each new event.
Reflection suggestion—Did you know you could read about Christ’s sacrifice entwined in David’s Psalm 22:1-20?:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all! Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much, let the Lord rescue him!”
Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.
Do not stay so far from me for trouble is near and no one else can help me.
My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions, they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax, melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs, an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
O Lord, do not stay far away!
You are my strength; come quickly to my aid!
Share any suggestions and successes you’ve had, please.
May you find the blessing of Easter in isolation, my friend!