A Note From the Pastor
Rev. Eugene N. Nelson, Jr.
In recent weeks, a number of people have asked me my opinion of the recent TV documentary, book and DVD all boldly announcing the discovery of Jesus’ tomb complete with bones – Jesus’ bones? – inside. Is this yet another attack on Christianity? Does this mean that the resurrection is just a fairy tale? Is this the end of Easter? What does this mean for our faith?
My response to all of this is that I really haven’t been paying much attention. In fact, I honestly have to say that I don’t really care. This isn’t an attack on Christianity as much as it is an effort to exploit Christianity and I refuse to play along. And no matter where the discussion of these “discoveries” goes, it will have absolutely no impact on my faith.
Anne Lamott says this about Easter: “Darkness is our context and Easter’s context: without it, you couldn’t see the light. Hope is…about choosing to believe this one thing: that love is bigger than any grim, bleak {stuff} anyone can throw at us.” Bones in a tomb? Give me a break! I’m not interested. I would rather talk about the big love spoken of by Anne Lamott. I would rather talk about Easter and life, not Good Friday and death, as the center of things. Bones in a tomb? Not important! I would rather like to know how you have encountered the risen Christ in your life today? What new seeds of life and possibility are being planted by God in your heart right now?
Along with his many other talents, Albert Schweitzer was an accomplished organist. Following a concert in Cleveland, he attended a reception held in his honor, and shared these few words: “You’ve all been very warm and hospitable to me and I thank you for it. I wish I could stay longer, but I must go back to Africa. I must go back to Africa because the people there are poor and diseased and hungry and dying, and I have to go. We have a medical station in Lambarene. And if there is anyone in this room who has the love of Jesus, would you be prompted by that love to go with me and help me?” When the love of Jesus is on the loose in the world, changing lives and hearts, that’s Easter. And it just gets stronger.
Gene
