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Sunday, March 31, 2013

The True Meaning Of Easter

     I grew up completely understanding that if Jesus' body actually did regain life after being dead for three days following his crucifixion, that was a miracle of profound significance. I had no trouble understanding that. What I did have trouble understanding was how my life, my beliefs, and actions should be different because of Jesus' demonstrated physical resurrection.

     Clearly, I was to be in awe. After all, once any of us die, as far as the best science available to us today indicates, we remain dead. Therefore, Jesus being physically resurrected proved he could defy human physiology and physics. The only modern day example of this kind of power that I could think of was that Jesus was some kind of Superman.

     Even though a child, myself, I still realized a Superman comparison was childish. Easter had to represent something more important and more real than that. What was there about Jesus' life that even after he was crucified all his followers believed he came back to life? How could that be? This was a burning question in my heart for many years.

     Then I started experiencing the world as an adult. I heard a young President Kennedy ask what I could do for my country and I was energized and committed. I heard Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. describe his dream of human peace and racial harmony and I was electrified and wanted to help make it happen. Even though both of these icons of love, peace, and personal responsibility were assassinated, neither of them has died in my heart or mind. Their messages touched eternal truths that will live in history forever.

     By all scriptural accounts, Jesus lived a life of perfect love, personified. This was expressed by writers of scripture by describing him as the "Son of God" or even "God on earth." He made those who believed they had sinned, see themselves differently. He treated others as perfect in God's eyes and they saw it, too. Such clarity of thought, mind, and soul changes and heals people's lives, their actions and even their personalities. The eternal truth and validity of these lessons is not changed one iota by the human death of the teacher. Spiritual understanding radically diminishes the importance of human events and material circumstances.

     After recovering from the personal shock of loss, Jesus' followers realized he still lived in their hearts, minds, and actions. They had experienced unconditional love and just like their spiritual wayshower, there was no human suffering that could change their commitment to express that same love and to share it with others.

     I cannot say this is what actually happened. I can only say this is what makes sense to me. I, myself, am personally committed to Jesus' teachings because I have grown to know him through my readings of the Bible and experiencing the results of his teachings in my life. Living from love is always the best option. The true meaning of Easter is personal and arises from within the sanctity of your own heart and mind.

     So, for me, even though crucified, Jesus lives!