38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 39-42 NASB
What’s the truly important part about the Easter story?
Is it the Easter Bunny delivering candy and gifts for Easter morning?
(No, that’s just “for the children.”)
What’s the Main Thing about Easter?
Is it the new clothes, fancy hats, the beginning of the appropriate time to wear white?
(No, that’s just “for the adults.”)
Is the Crucifixion really the point of Easter?
Is it the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, by Roman crucifixion?
I haven’t been in many Catholic churches, but I’ve seen pictures of the Crucifixion in almost life-size three-dimensionality, as well as images of the crucified Christ in stained glass windows.
Is the broken, dying, Messiah really the point of it all?
Or …?
Is the focus to be on the (empty) cross itself?
I mean, we Christians often wear a cross around our neck.
There’s usually one on top of the steeple; and typically there is at least one on or in a church.
Crosses can be seen in cemeteries; they can be seen hanging on the wall as “Christian decor.”
I’ve seen crosses as stickers on cars and tattoos on bodies.
And there are many styles of crosses. Crosses of many origins, with many meanings.
40 Types of Crosses and Their Meanings – Facts.net
Types of Crosses
Or perhaps …?
All through history there have been religious leaders with a strong passion about a cause.
Leaders who amassed myriads of likeminded believers to follow them, even unto death.
From Akhenaten’s monotheism to the wisdom of Confucius to the Prophet Muhammad’s Allah;
from Charles Manson and murder to Jim Jones and David Koresh, and the mass suicide of their followers.
Even the Pharisee Gamaliel spoke to the Sanhedrin of failed religious leaders.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:34-39 NASB
But …
In all of history …
- Only one religious leader has died and lived again.
- Only one Teacher has been condemned, murdered, buried, and arose from the dead.
- Only one, the One who is the Son of the Father, YHVH, has been resurrected to new life, in a new body.
Only …
Only Jesus the Christ, who was seen after His death by some of the women who followed Him. (John 20:1-18)
Only Yeshua the Messiah, who met with His primary disciples and showed them the holes in His body from His death on the cross. (John 20:19-29)
Only Yeshua HaMashiach, who was taken up into heaven in front of His disciples. (Luke 24:50-53) and (Acts 1:8-11)
No
No, Easter is not about an egg-laying rabbit and his goodies.
No, Easter is not about the fashionistas and style influencers.
No, I think Easter is not even about the Crucifixion!
Rather,
I think Easter is about the empty tomb.
“The Good Part”
Yes, “the Good Part,” the truly important part about the Easter story, is the empty tomb.
Yes, “the Good Part,” the main thing about Easter, is the empty tomb.
Yes, “the Good Part,” the point of Easter, is the empty tomb.
The Resurrection is the reason of Easter.
The conquest of death is the purpose of Easter.
But the empty tomb is the true symbol of Easter.
Be like Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus:
Choose “the Good Part”
42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 39-42 NASB
Celebrate Resurrection Day!
Focus on the gift of the empty tomb!
Keep your thoughts on the risen One who gives eternal life!
He is risen.
He is risen indeed.
Blessings,
TLThomas
Other posts you may want to Check Out!
Don’t “Pass Over” Passover On the Way to Easter!
Did You Have A “Hoppy Easter”?
It’s ok to doubt if you check it out!
Be a Berean
10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:10, 11 NASB
© TLThomas 2024