THE CRUX OF OUR FAITH (EASTER MUSING)

He's alive again,

Stone's been rolled away.

He's alive again.

He's no longer where He lay.
He's alive again.

I can hear the angels say

Let all the world rejoice, He's alive!

I grew up singing the popular chorus above from Phil Driscoll’s - He's Alive Again track, from the Power of Praise album in my local Foursquare Gospel Church back in Nigeria, and during the Easter celebration, this and many other songs like “Alive, alive, my Saviour is alive”, and “all the way to Calvary, He went for me” struck differently. There was something about these songs- they conveyed the gospel in its entirety i.e. Jesus’ sufferings, crucifixion, death and resurrection. These songs didn’t just stop there, they went on to reveal my identity as a new creation and what I stand to gain- Life Eternal!
As we bask in the euphoria of this season, albeit in a lacklustre manner, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic which is drastically changing every aspect of life from what we used to know it to be and forcing change on us, such as social distancing - some have argued it is physical and not social distancing, as we need to be closer socially this season for mental wellness- as the new normal, it is pertinent to remind ourselves what the crux of the Christian faith is.
 

What distinguishes the Christian faith? The cross and the empty tomb.

The Cross signifies the altar upon which Jesus, the Lamb of God, was sacrificed for the sin of the world. 1 Peter 2:24 (AMP) reveals that “He personally carried our sins in His body on the ^[a]cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been ^[b]healed.” The Son of Man had to be lifted up on the cross to satisfy the claims of justice on behalf of sinners who believe in Him, by looking up to the cross, thereby gaining life eternal!

The empty tomb assures us of a brand new life and an ever-living hope in this world and the one to come. Because Jesus has risen, the tomb is empty! 1 Peter 1: 3-5 (MSG) states “…Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future...” Friends, even amid this global pandemic, in the words of my pastor, John Taylor, in his Easter message “Jesus (empty tomb) offers Christians confident assurance in uncertain times” (emphasis added). Christians are simply people who believe in Jesus’ sufferings, death, resurrection and his coming again. We believe by looking up to the cross.  

I conclude this musing on Easter with Ravi Zacharias’ thoughts on Easter “We often hear the phrase, "the crux of the matter" or "the crux of a situation." The word "crux" comes from Medieval Latin, and simply means cross. Why has the word "crux" come to be associated with a critical juncture or point in time? Because the Cross of Christ is truly the crux of history. Without the Cross, history itself cannot be defined or corrected.

There is another word we often hear when we are in the throes of indescribable pain, the word, "excruciating." That, too, derives from the Latin and means "out of the cross." Across time and human experience, the historical event of the Cross intersects time and space and speaks to the deepest hurts of the human heart... The Cross stands as the defining counter-perspective to everything this world has to offer...” As we observe one of the most memorable Easters in history, may we never lose our wonder of the crux of our faith- the cross and the empty tomb. Happy Easter!

Reflection 

What is one lesson you have learnt this Easter season, especially amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic? Do share with us in the comment section.