This weekend is a time of celebration, but I grieve. It’s a time to rejoice, yet part of me weeps. We sing more enthusiastically than we typically do this weekend, but my singing will be a bit muted. Later this weekend, I will gather with family and friends, and we’ll have great fellowship together — but I cannot ignore the pain.
I truly am incredibly grateful for Jesus’ death and resurrection today. I’m so thankful that death is not final, that resurrection and heaven are real. I’m humbled by the opportunity to join my Christian brothers and sisters in celebration this weekend.
But, many people will not be celebrating today or tomorrow . . . or at all. Billions, even. Billions who don’t even know that Jesus ever existed. Billions for whom a cross is just a piece of wood, and an emptied tomb is but a fantasy.
Many of them will sacrifice animals, offer fruit, and verbalize prayers to false gods this weekend, but they’ll continue to live in fear of the powers . . . and in fear of death. They’ll follow their own religious rituals toward eternal judgment.
Still others around the world have heard of Jesus but have denied him by rejecting his deity or ignoring his demands. They’re not only lost, but they’ve rejected the light that many others haven’t even been exposed to yet.
None of these are joining us in singing praise choruses about new life this weekend — and sadly, many will die this resurrection Sunday with no assurance of heaven.
Do we rejoice this weekend? Absolutely!
Should we sing loudly? Like never before!
Celebrate victory over death? With great fervor!
Enjoy fellowship with believers? Surely so!
But, even as we rejoice, sing, celebrate, and fellowship, we should also weep, pray, and go. Too much of the world won’t join the celebration these days. I’m reminded this resurrection weekend just how much they’re missing.
Amen brother. Onward to the Great Commission!
Blessings, David.