What a fascinating day…
It’s Easter Sunday, a day of immense meaning for those who follow Jesus.
It’s the day history records as Jesus, having died two days prior via an unquestionably agonizing means — egged on by the aspersions and ardor of the amassed local audience — supernaturally walked out of his tomb. No other religious leader has made such a claim.
There are numerous aspects providing evidential support, far more than the absent body, from the amazed disciples to the agreeing eyewitnesses to the angry authorities. For me, thinking especially of those disciples and eyewitnesses, I’m reminded of former special counsel to Pres. Richard Nixon, Chuck Colson, who was jailed for his Watergate crimes and would come to know more about Jesus in prison. Colson spoke of how when the Watergate scandal broke, he and 11 others — some of the most powerful persons in the world at the time — met immediately secretly, crafted a story, and swore to maintain it. But the men caved — almost instantaneously. As said by Colson:
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Everyone was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world—and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
But in addition to the evidential support, let me be very clear about what some may see as a fairly insignificant thing…
I am no one’s Holy Spirit.
It’s something I say a lot. So let me say it a different way…
It is not my job — nor even my ability — to convict another of what’s true.
Let me be even clearer…
I wholeheartedly believe in Jesus Christ. There is zero doubt in my mind that he is the foretold Messiah, Son of God, and lived and died for me. I have experienced him in countless ways, with his teaching, guidance and love making an unprecedented difference in my life. While still imperfect and always so this side of heaven, Jesus has changed the way I think in so many healthy, wise and uncanny ways. I have innumerable stories of how he has shown up in my life. I have no doubt it’s him. I realize now none of us are too insignificant for him to love, and his wisdom transcends death. My relationship with Jesus has hands down been absolutely the greatest producer of joy and peace in my life.
But…
There are two primary things Jesus asks of those who follow him. One, love God big time. Love him back with all your passion, prayer and intelligence. And two, love other people. Love them selflessly, meaning love them at least as much as yourself.
I’ll be honest. I think this is one of humanity’s biggest blunders, both in and out of organized religion, from both the faithful and the skeptic. We too often believe that it is our job to convict another of what we believe. Not only do we think it’s our job, we think we’re capable of it. And when the other person doesn’t adhere to our persuasion— sincere as it may be — we conclude that said person is lesser in some capacity.
Friends, when I believe it’s my responsibility to determine the conviction of another, I am missing the second half of what Jesus has most asked of me. To love another selflessly, that means I love them no matter where they are at — at similar or different places in belief or behavior than me.
It’s why at the Intramuralist we consistently advocate respect for absolutely all people. That is: all people.
So let me encourage you. Let me applaud your search to reflect and grow and be increasingly curious. Feel free to be where you are at. Also feel loved and respected in all things, wherever that may be.
Happy Easter, friends… what a fascinating, wonderful day.
Respectfully…
AR