It was interesting to see what Facebook had as suggested pictures For Easter. Abstract bunnies. Chickens. Eggs. The pagan symbols of spring. They did not have a cross or an open tomb. I am aware that in the Northern Hemisphere spring is arriving, and winter is ending: this is akin to October for us, when we get energy — and traditionally plant the vegetables. Well I do live in the deep South.
The highlight for us yesterday was getting Bruce to church: the second highlight was having the boys around for Sunday Lunch. That night I was exhausted, admittedly after writing a long essay driven by thoughts from a conversation with my son.
But today we need to again preach Christ. There is no season when this is not the time.
14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
22“You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — 23this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25For David says concerning him,
‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. 31Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”
Easter is over. Many will decide that they have had a good loading dose of the gospel and that it can be but away. Until Christmas. This is not the case: this time is fallen and this generation perverse. They consider talk of the law triggering and calls to repentance hate speech.
Now is the time to preach. Now is the time for the gospel.