I am tired of the over used colloquialism “if you build it, they will
come.” Although much truth is found in the statement, unfortunately we find it
attached to anything people want to promote today. Using it as an excuse to
promote it before it is built, we never hear, “if you promote it, they will
come.” But isn’t that what they really mean? Starting with focus groups,
polls, and informal meetings, all based on a concept, soon the idea takes shape,
the funding is found, the ground broken, the building built, and the doors
opened. Nothing like opening day, where the food is free, door prizes awarded,
and everyone wants to see what has been promised via promotion. For some a 2-3
Grand Opening, others a week, but nothing like Opening Day.....
So promote it we do, and hoping they come, many times they do. Our egos
will not let us prepare to be underwhelmed, but when we are overwhelmed, our
fragile egos cannot deal with the added numbers either. Such is one situation
noted in the local paper from my home town, Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Some
years back they started an Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the local
residents. But it grew, then outgrew, and with parents from neighboring towns
bringing their kids, this year too many local kids got no eggs. And the
complaints began...”my son got no eggs,” “I thought this was for Scotch Plains
residents only,” and “this needed to be planned better.” It was built, built
up, and they came.....
Of course the Easter Bunny was there, he too overwhelmed by the crowd, as
were city officials, who never miss a chance to show up and take credit, and the
media. But an event that was aimed at the kids and parents soon became a free
for all, with Facebook postings complaining of 5 year olds in tears, no eggs for
them. In shades of the soup Nazi, the lines formed, but those early and in line
got all the eggs they wanted, with the little ones or ones without the bolder or
ruder parents got none. “No eggs for you, come back next year!” The kids will
get over it quickly, as some parents shared their kids take with the less
fortunate egg gatherers, while a few days from now the kids attention span will
be on to other things, while their parents will still be acting like children
complaining. No word form the bunny as to his take on the whole thing...
Church, Inc. has weighed in on the same thing. With Easter next week, so
many churches are providing special services, Easter egg contests, kids
programs, and promotions to get the CEO’s, Christmas and Easter only visitors
into their doors. And to hear or endure for the umpteenth time, the story of
Jesus on the cross. A story that true Christians share everyday in their lives,
not just once a year. No eggs, no Easter baskets, no bunny pellets to recognize
who was here, we try to live a resurrected life in Christ. It religion that has
forgotten that unless God builds the church, they labor in vain. Some will have
huge crowds, bragging on the numbers, and on those who come forward to be
saved. One church a few years back bragged of over 1000 new converts, but when
asked “name 10, 5, how about 1?” couldn’t. It was about the numbers, not the
one in 99 left behind. No Christ for him, “come back next year!” When today is
the day of salvation too for many, and not necessarily in churches. Or
programs, or free meals. No prizes. Do we trust the scriptures or how the
church has presented them?
When Jesus fed the 5000, it was after they had gathered to hear him. He
felt compassion for them, and fed them. I can see him walking through the
crowd, talking with people, holding little kids, reminding strangers there are
seconds available. He had fed them spiritually, then physically, giving them
something tangible to prove he was with them. But the next day in looking for
more freebies, he was forced to go off in a boat, they showed up for food, not
spiritual but physical. They were after the free eggs, not to see the bunny.
Funny how in both cases the disciples were overwhelmed, but Jesus never was.
And how they were drawn to him at first, he didn’t put up posters, no ads on his
Facebook, no Tweets about the food. Word of mouth spread, “you must see this
man,” and while so much is said about the crowd only wanting another free meal,
we never hear of the ones who came to see Jesus and be saved. What will be your
take on Easter this year? Do you look fro the one in 99, are you that one who
is seeking? Are the services spirit led or by committee? Remember Jesus had a
council of twelve disciples, who ditched him at the end. A planning meeting
disaster. After Easter Sunday, what do you do to follow up? What does your
church do? Do they do anything at all, but just brag on the numbers?
And so like Thanksgiving, Christmas, the 4th of July, and your birthday,
Easter will be put away till next year. When a new batch of eggs and promotions
will entice many to church. But where will Jesus be in it all? Put away until
next year? Each person, each family came to her Jesus for a personal reason.
Drawn by the spirit, they found him, for his word, never returns void. Those
looking for a free meal, found one too. Just not enough eggs for some, or a
follow up the next day. Maybe reflected best in an old Dennis the Menace
cartoon, talking with a friend leaving a party he remarked, “not a bad party,
broke two balloons and a window.” No word on the homeowners of the window, who
obviously will see things differently. So how will you see Jesus this Easter?
A once a year event going to church? A gathering of eggs to be found? Ham on
sale for the week. Or will you see Easter, as the resurrection celebration of
Jesus Christ our savior. Will you celebrate Good Friday, no eggs or baskets
there, I guess the blood and guts is too much. But no Good Friday, no Easter.
No Jesus, no resurrection. And we can all relate to the misery of Good Friday,
but not at the joy of Easter. Maybe a look back at a Christmas thousands of
years ago will help. Joe and Mary found no room at the inn, were forced to have
their baby Jesus in a barn. Quiet and personal, for birth, although a
celebration is personal. No mob where there was no room at the inn, a family
with a new birth. And you can name who was born that day. So is it about the
numbers, or about the one whose birth we celebrate, whose resurrection makes him
unique in all history and religion? There will be many faces in the crowds of
churches this Sunday, look for Jesus. If he drew you, you will find him, he
isn’t hiding. No special calls, not ever found in the Bible, but hearts being
touched by the spirit, something no celebration, program, service, or holiday
can do. Jesus is that special no day could hold, nor could any cross or tomb.
And if you believe you too will be resurrected like him, the party I am glad I
will be at. Some will brag on numbers, I rather brag on Jesus, who when I was
the one in 99 went back for me. If Easter is all about the eggs for you,
remember that the chicken came first, then the eggs. Says so right in your
Bible. You must be born again to inherit the kingdom of God. And on that day
we who are will all be fed, forever. He knows our names!
Sadly many memories will only be like the newspaper report that added, “the
Easter bunny of course was still a popular attraction.”
To all a Good Friday, and to all a good night. Happy Easter! As for my
eggs, over easy with hash browns.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com