Always with the onset of Spring, I am reminded of the prospect of new life. All of a sudden, the days are longer, the sun seems brighter, and the deadness of winter dissipates with the first blossom. Trees that once were barren are now adorned with the most beautiful colors that only God could create. Expectancy is in the air as nature shows us possibility in what is new; it’s as if nature itself is inviting us to new life. As with any invitation, there has to be a response. Another thing that is celebrated in the Spring is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is a time where Christians reflect on one man’s decision to say yes.
If someone came up to me and said, “I would like to give you a million dollars. Do you want it?” After establishing that there was no ill-intent or any catch or scheme, I would respond with a resounding yes. That seems like it’s a pretty universally easy yes. How about if you applied to the highest rated university in the world and not only do you get in, but they offer you a full scholarship, including housing and stipend. Again, with no hesitancy, I would say yes. It doesn’t seem like there would be much pain in those decisions, does it? Well, let’s think about it. Becoming a millionaire puts you in a whole new tax bracket and before you know it, the government has told you how to spend the money you thought was yours free of cost. Well how about that full scholarship? The stress of maintaining an adequate grade point average (i.e. pulling all nighters, sacrificing social activities, etc) would make you wonder if the money was worth it.
Let’s take a look at Jesus’ “yes.” God came down in man form to live the perfect life that we should have lived, yet died the death we should have died in our place. Three days later He rose again declaring victory over death, the only obstacle holding us back, and offering the gift of salvation to those who believe and say yes to Him. In John 17, we see Jesus’ anguish before he is arrested. He is begging, pleading to His Heavenly Father to let this cup pass from Him. How does one see the pain ahead and say yes anyways? He knew He would be beaten beyond recognition. He knew He would be whipped to the point that the flesh was torn from His body. He new people would scorn Him, spit on Him, take His clothes, humbling Him to the lowest possible position He could be. He knew His friends would betray and reject Him. He knew all of this, and still said “yes.”
In that moment, Jesus gave us an invitation. With His death and resurrection, He offers us the possibility of new life. What does that new life look like? Is it free of pain? No. Is it free of conflict? No. Does your life get easier after you say “yes” to Jesus? I answer with a resounding NO! Then why should we say yes? One of the most profound things about God is He works in the opposite way that we think He should work. For Him, the way to gain patience is to let us go through situations and not immediately answer or deliver us from them. Longsuffering begets patience. For God, death comes BEFORE life. We understand it as we’re born, we live, we die. No, for God, you have to die in order to live. Look at Spring. There would not be this beauty if there wasn’t first a winter. The trees had to die in order to live. There is pain in saying yes, but there is death in saying no. Say yes to life, say yes to God.
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