Easter’s Power
Have you ever wondered how a person can stand for his faith in Jesus Christ in the face of persecution? I wonder that every time I read suffering for the cause of Christ, of horrific torture, of agonizing martyrdom. How can these men and women, even these children, forsake literally everything in this life and embrace the pain of being a Christian?
That question was running through my mind all weekend, as we remembered Christ's unimaginable sufferings and celebrated His glorious resurrection. Christ is certainly the example of fortitude in persecution; his full humanity felt the agony of every lash, every thorn, and every nail. He felt the rough cross re-open the wounds on His back as its weight shoved Him into the stones of the street. Why? Why would He do that?
He suffered so that we could follow Him. Our following must start in the streets to Golgotha, as we take up our own crosses. (Matthew 16:24) But our following does not end there, even though we follow Him to death! Death is merely the beginning; when we follow Christ we follow Him to eternal glory. The power of Easter is the power of salvation, but it is more than that–it is the power to follow through the pain that leads to the glory.
I will admit that I am grateful I have not had to face torture, imprisonment, or death in order to stand for Jesus Christ. But I have seen those that have, those that have found and exercised the power of Easter. If that day ever comes for me, that day when taking up my cross means facing the ultimate sacrifice, I pray that I will turn to the power of Easter.
He is risen!