Bunnies and New Life
It's delightful to see new life springing up, after such a hard winter. Our hedgerows are full of primroses, violets and May blossom and bluebells are soon coming. This is picked up in many Easter cards, depicting pretty flowers or even little happy bunnies, which makes me wonder what they have to do with Easter? What on earth does this have to do with Christianity and the Risen Christ? Well of course Jesus came that we may have new life, abundant life in the hereafter and the hear and now. But what does that mean?Some years ago, we were at a home group and this same question was posed. What do we mean by 'abundant life"?
Surprisingly, some kept quiet - possibly because they thought their answer may be wrong - but those that replied, came up with a variety of answers, such as: “following Jesus” - “being declared not guilty” - “being able to run again” - “getting over my grief” - “being with Jesus when we die” - “freedom from the fear of death” - “reaching my full potential” - "knowing Jesus" - and so on.
There were others and you could argue that some were not theologically correct. But that’s not the point, they were all valid expressions. Some were said with feeling, even passion and had one thing in common. They had a dissatisfaction within. They couldn't quite define it, but they knew they longed for more. They had a God-given desire.
It seems a paradox that knowing Jesus brings the satisfaction, but alongside that there is a Holy hunger for more. Acknowledging and expressing that desire is a step nearer abundant life.
What do you mean by abundant life?
Easter blessings.
"- I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 New International Version
1 comments :
Happy Easter! In the King James, John 10:10 ends with "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." What that means to me is a life filled with the Holy Spirit. Earthly life, if lived in sin, is death. If the sin is unrepented of, that results in eternal spiritual death, an irreconcilable separation from God.
But Jesus Christ is life, and our life is hid in His. He gives us purpose and a joy that no hardships in this life could ever take away. I love knowing that I have a purpose, that the very Creator of the universe is concerned with my meager life. I also take comfort in knowing that any problem I may face along the way, He has had all eternity to plan the solution. :)
By the way, I looked up Easter, many years ago, and while its origins are hazy, it seems to come from a pagan spring festival, celebrating a fertility Goddess. But I have no clue where the bunny and colored eggs came from.
In Eastern Orthodox tradition, everybody picks out a colored egg, and they knock eggs, to see who can break whose. As we knocked eggs, one would say, "Christ is risen", and the other would reply with, "Indeed He is!". It was great fun, growing up (though I do not now hold to any particular denomination).
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