There He hung.  Suspended between heaven and earth.  Then, heaven and earth converged, and the veil was torn, the earth shook, rocks were split, tombs were opened and the dead were raised. Heaven and earth touched.

You can hear it throughout the church production, but, it is most pronounced at the end of the service, during the crescendo of the music. You know the song, “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE”.  The message is clear, “WE WIN”!

Is there a hidden within the minds and hearts of those singing these praises is the sublime messages? Is it “Us against Them”, and we win!

Actually, the song says, “Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o’er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!”  His foes are not people, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

 Is this inadvertent misconception causing us to rejoice in the wrong way and for some wrong reasons?  Are we secretly happy that “all those bad people” who don’t believe in, or who hate Jesus are going to get what they have coming?

Jesus Mission on earth was not to condemn or defeat people, but He came to save them.  That is our mission, also.

Secondly, are we just observers now?  We “observe” Easter?  If this holiday is meant to be a commemoration of Jesus’ victory over death and triumph in life, then we should be going, doing and telling everyone, right?  But, alas, many watch the service in agreement, perhaps shout an occasional “amen” then go to lunch, satisfied that “we will win in the end”.  But, He has called us to action!

Don’t get me wrong.  I love the holiday we call “Easter” and I love to celebrate Jesus.  This season reminds me that Jesus lived and died on my behalf and on the behalf of all people.  I am reminded that death could not stop Him and the grave could not contain Him.  He is victorious over evil, sin, disease and death, and because He lives, we can live forever, victoriously,  in His presence.

This is why we should praise Him and tell everyone this Good News!

It is not “Us against Them”.  It is “Jesus and US” for them.  Pulling for those who do not know Jesus as their Savior, to come to Him and find eternal life!  This message is for all people to have victory over evil, sin, disease and death.

As much as I love Resurrection Sunday (aka, “Easter”), I also dread the way we celebrate the holiday we call Easter.  I dread it because of the confused and mixed message we send.  EGGS and BUNNIES.  US versus THEM.  Dressed in our “Sunday Best”.

THE CRUCIFIXION

The trial was a mockery.  The conviction was a predetermined fraud.  The sentencing was death by crucifixion, preceded by humiliation and a brutal and bloody beating.  Then He was hung on a cross with nails in His hands and feet.  His side was pierced with a spear.  You could hear jeering, taunting, sorrowful crying.  There were no bunnies.  No decorated eggs.  No Sunday brunch.

THE RESURRECTION

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found it was empty except for the burial clothes and “two men in dazzling clothing.”  There was no sunrise service.  No one dressed in their “Sunday Best”.

THE ASCENSION

Acts 1:6   “So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; 8but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

V9  “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

There were no orchestras.  No crescendo of music. But, make no mistake.  Everything had changed for the BEST, and the world would never forget, and it would never be the same.

“DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP in victory. WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR VICTORY? WHERE, O DEATH, IS YOUR STING?”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

 EASTER?  Really?

Old English Easterdæg, from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre), from Proto-Germanic *austron-, “dawn,” also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, from *aust- “east, toward the sunrise” (compare east), from PIE root *aus- (1) “to shine,” especially of the dawn.

Bede says Anglo-Saxon Christians adopted her name and many of the celebratory practices for their Mass of Christ’s resurrection. Almost all neighboring languages use a variant of Latin Pascha to name this holiday (see paschal).

Easter egg is attested by 1825, earlier pace egg (1610s). Easter bunny is attested by 1904 in children’s lessons; Easter rabbit is by 1888; the paganish customs of Easter seem to have grown popular c. 1900; before that they were limited to German immigrants.

So, who has been influencing whom?  I can’t help hearing these words, Matthew 7:14 “for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. v14 But, narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

It’s not too late.  Celebrate this Resurrection Sunday by remembering Jesus, what He has done, and what it means to you and others.

Now, let’s Go and Tell about Him and what He has done!  Let’s be reminded to Go and Do as Jesus has done.

And, oh yes, have a Blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

I am an Army veteran, a businessman, I have been a youth soccer coach and worked in ministry.  Here are some instances of the privileges I have experienced.

#1 – While in the Army, I learned that it could be deadly to put an unqualified person in some positions.  But, once a person became qualified and showed themselves capable and dependable, you gave them the positions of responsibility and the privilege of holding those positions.  They have earned the privilege and everyone around them will receive the benefits.

One day, a fellow who had previously been disqualified from field duty was given the opportunity to try some training because of his incessant complaining to a certain staff member.  He complained that he was being treated unfairly because of his physical stature.  He said “he was born that way and couldn’t help it”.  Furthermore, he accused the rest of us of having an unfair advantage and privilege.  During one training exercise, he threw a hand grenade like a “little boy”.  It barely cleared the safety wall, and exploded just feet from the rest of us.  Thankfully, no one was injured.  Just ringing ears for a couple of hours. He was reassigned to kitchen duty.  Privilege is earned through hard work and sometimes by way of your abilities.

#2 – I owned and ran a multi-million dollar insurance business.  I learned from experience that it was risky and usually financially fatal to put irresponsible, unqualified people in positions of responsibility.  But, once a person showed themselves as capable, dependable and responsible, it was smart business to give them positions of responsibility.  The have earned the privilege.

A man in my insurance business, who barely met the minimum requirements to keep his position as an area manager, called me one day to say I was greedy and unfair because I wouldn’t promote him to Regional Vice President status.  His work ethic was mediocre, his efforts were lacking, and he spent more time in recreation that at work.  So, l refused his request.  He left our Agency and went elsewhere.  Someone had promised him the privilege of becoming an area VP.  Within a year’s time, he had bankrupted both that agency’s area assignment and himself.  He still complains that had I given him the privilege of becoming a VP he would have succeeded.  Privilege is earned.

#3 – I coached many youth soccer teams, and they usually had winning records.  I would watch the player’s skills, dedication, capabilities, attitude and work ethics.  If a player showed themselves as teachable, capable and dependable, I always gave them the privilege of playing time and for those who excelled, I gave them the position for which they were best suited, for their efforts and for the good of the entire team.  They had earned the privilege.

One particular school soccer team I was coaching had an 8 – 0 winning record to date.  We were playing another undefeated team in our league on this particular day.  One of the parents came to me to complain that his son was not getting enough playing time and wanted his son to play in the upcoming game.  I explained that I gave his son playing time each week and that he could get more time if (1) he would lose some weight, practice more at home and listen during school practice, or (2) I could place him on the second squad where he would get more playing time.  The parent complained that I was showing preference to certain players and giving them unfair privileges.

We were leading in this soccer match against the other undefeated team, 2-1 and I offered this boy to enter the game.  He looked terrified and declined.  We won the match.  After the game this parent came to me and said I was unfair and a terrible coach, showing preference to other players.  To which I replied, “This is a TEAM sport.  I do what is best for all the players, including your son.  These boys want to win, fairly and with honor.  The privilege to play is earned.”

#4 – I was asked to start a Sunday school class in a particular church.  I was nervous about the task, but grateful.  I had never done such a thing.  I was assigned a small office for class space.  I began to pray and invite others.  I invited both church members and those outside the church.  We started with three people.  I studied for each lesson carefully and diligently, not wanting to mislead anyone.  My goal was to find my way through the Bible and to help others do the same.  God identified other capable and willing men who could teach better than I, and soon we had a rotation of about six qualified and capable teachers. The class soon outgrew the small space and needed a larger classroom.  Other capable and dependable men and women pitched in to help.  They worked hard and were committed to our cause.  I asked those who were willing and capable to start a once-a-month home fellowship for fun activities and as a means to grow closer together.  We soon had six homes brimming with happy new relationships.  I felt privileged to be part of such a capable and vibrant group of people.

Then one day the pastor called me to his office and announced that he was breaking the class into smaller classes and assigning other teachers.  He also announced that he was calling an end to the home fellowships as others in the church felt left out of the privilege to lead a group.  I explained they were always welcome to attend and after a while perhaps they could lead a group.  But, his mind was made up.  The existing teachers were retired from the Sunday school class and the home groups were abandoned.

Sadly, after one year, only one class remained, and it had shrunk in size and relocated to the original small classroom.  It seems the unqualified and incapable had gotten their wish.  You see, privilege is earned not conferred or assigned.

Self-esteem and ego are closely tied.  Being able to appreciate the former while controlling the latter can be difficult.  But, just wanting something won’t make it so.  Sometimes it takes extreme dedication, sacrifice, hard work and even some “luck”.  And, even then, you might not ‘measure up’.  And, yes, sometimes life just isn’t fair and some people aren’t fair.  If your self-esteem can’t handle that then you should change your desires or go make your way!  But, that’s the way life is and always has been.

Complaining about it, cheating, bullying or becoming jealous, angry or violent might get you the position you crave, but, it usually won’t change the outcome.  If you aren’t qualified or capable for a particular task or goal you might just fail.  If you are not dependable, you will probably fail and you and all those around you will suffer.  Like it or not.

You see, I know what I am talking about because, I have ‘been there and done that’.  I have had my share of failures.  But, I am grateful for the experiences, thankful for the chances to have tried.  I appreciate the successes I have had,  and I admire and respect those who made the grade above me.

Privilege is earned, and sometimes it just takes a little “luck”.  Please stop complaining and work at your goals.  Work hard, be diligent, pray a lot, make yourself qualified, become capable, be dependable.  Then, maybe, just maybe, you’ll get the privilege and all of us will benefit from your hard work and “luck”.

Mike Young

privilege = sometimes it’s unfair; sometimes it’s luck; but somehow, it is always earned.