As I See It…

I’m struggling with the fact that Easter arrives early this year. If you live in the northern climes of America as we do, it’s not at all improbable that a March Easter could enter on the heels of a late season snow fall. It’s times like this that sun-rise services don’t stir my heart too much.

I have been privileged to spend one early seasoned post-Easter Sunday in Jerusalem. The air was crisp. The coolness of the morning temperature brought with it just a tinge of vapor breath. But in just minutes the penetrating rays of that spring sun left just faded thoughts of the earlier brisk atmosphere.

As we wound our way down the narrow, walled entrance way to the Garden Tomb, it didn’t take much to provoke the memories of a morning like this some 2,000 years ago. Both early arriving women and later present disciples met with an exhilarating experience. “He is not here,” said the angel. “For he is risen, just as he said.” What thoughts must have rushed through their minds at a moment like that! “Can it be? How is it possible? Where have you placed him?” Those and many more thoughts like them raced around the hearts and minds of those early Jewish (soon to be) Christians.

Yes, Easter actually is a Jewish celebration that Christians have inherited. Not only were the first celebrants Jewish, their (our) risen Messiah is Jewish as well. Isn’t it great that we can share in this glorious experience together?

As we settled in for the service at the Garden Tomb, strands of familiar hymns quickly filled the air accompanied with vibrant voices and chills-down-the-spine emotion to mark the occasion. Christians from all over Europe, Asian countries and the Americas blended their voices of triumphant praise. As glorious as the singing was, it was hard to out do the brilliantly piercing sound of the multiple choruses of birds. They seemed to know and understand what was going on as well!

There had been a changing of the guard that year. A new director from Scotland had arrived just weeks before to head up the ministry responsible for the Garden Tomb. When introduced to us, he was presented as being from Scotland. His quick retort was the measure of his testimony, “Aye, I come from Scotland, but I’m bound for glory.” Now there’s a universal call that can be applied to any Christian, no matter what their earthly heritage. Easter: the Christian’s portal to glory!

Pastor Megilligan