Easter Signs and Wonders

Around this time of year, probably around 12 years ago, I went to a local grocery store in my hometown which is now out of business. I was a little perturbed at the difference in 2 signs in the window, but did my shopping and then went to my car. Then I went back to the store and asked to see the manager. Why? What were the two signs? Well, one was a picture of a leg of lamb on a plate, with a goblet with a Star of David, and read, "We would like to wish all of our Jewish friends a Happy Passover." The other one was a picture of 3 bunnies in some flowers, and read, "Happy Easter. Closed Easter Sunday."

This was before I was a pastor, and probably before I was in seminary. I was annoyed. I wrote a pointed letter to the corporate office (because I knew it was not the store manager's fault - he only put up the signs that corporate sent him). I told them that I was offended because one referred to their Jewish friends, with a symbol of Judaism, while the other did not mention the word Christian, or friends, or have a symbol of Christianity for what is the most important holiday for Christians - rather, it had a picture of 3 rabbits - a pagan symbol for fertility. Had they pictured chocolate bunnies (something that could have been purchased at the store), or a plate with a slice of ham and a goblet with a cross, or referred to Christianity, I would not have taken any offense at all. And, I asked them to please not tell me that they had 3 bunnies to symbolize the Trinity. I got a letter back from them, apologizing for the offense, they didn't mean to offend, and they would never do it again. Their December signs, and their signs the following Passover/Easter season were much more equitable in the recognition of the HOLIdays of Judaism and Christianity being HOLY days.

As I started writing this, I was eating a Peep. Why do I tell you this? To let you know that I don't have great heartburn with chocolate bunnies, Peeps, jelly beans, or egg hunts at Easter. As a matter of fact, when I get done writing this, I'm going here: www.shop.oldmonmouthcandies.com
to see if I am still able to order their jelly beans this year.They have wonderful candy shows in their warehouse this time of year and at Christmastime, and I miss going. It was a big treat for us to go during Lent to choose what candies we would get after Easter. And we never got to sample any until Easter Day(that is, not until we were old enough to go buy our own). For a child (and a teenager...and an adult) it was a place of glorious smells, colors, and anticipation.

Do we anticipate Easter itself though? The first disciples were terrified. Jesus was dead and buried. It's easy for us to look backwards and tell them to come out of hiding, not to worry, it'll all be ok. But they didn't have the advantage of our perspective. One had betrayed him, another denied him. They either witnessed or heard about Jesus' arrest in the garden. They may have been in the crowd that chose Barabbas for release. They saw him crucified - if they had dared be in that crowd. He was dead, gone.

We, though, have the perspective of time. We know that death lost. Our Lord won. I wonder, though, if we have forgotten what we know. Have we looked the other way while our Holy day is becoming a secular holiday? Have we focused more on the hidden eggs than the risen Lord? Have we paid more attention to the chocolate and the pretty dresses than to the resurrection and triumph of Jesus Christ?

Let us use these last few weeks of Lent - ok, let us use these last days of our lives whether it be tomorrow or a hundred years from now - to focus on the reality of Easter. Jesus is not dead, He is risen!