Because He Lives

In response to her grandmother’s question, “What is your favorite Bible story?” A young nine year old girl questioned back, “Do you mean what is my favorite story besides Jesus dying on the cross that every kid in church has heard a hundred times?”

Every person who is or grew up as “that kid in church” can relate.

Every person who knew “Jesus dying on the cross” would be the right answer to their childhood Sunday School teacher’s questions can empathize.

Every person who got new Easter clothes, a nice Easter basket, took Easter pictures, and consumed ham and deviled eggs for lunch Easter Sunday nods their head in understanding.

We all know this should be our favorite story and that story is the greatest – but we’ve heard it “a hundred times” (before the age of ten).

For those of you like this nine year old girl, and like me, let’s commit to some things on this Saturday between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.

First, let’s rejoice that we grew up in homes where we heard the greatest story ever told “a hundred times” before we started using deodorant. What an incredible gift to “that kid in church.” Let’s thank the Father for that. Perhaps, if possible, call the ones responsible for this and let them know you’re thankful for their sacrifice and effort.

Second, let’s ask the Father to give us “ears to hear” tomorrow as we go back and sing (either publicly or just humming it in our heads) “Up from the Grave He Arose (He Arose)!” Ask the Father to help you hear the Good News again with an expectant heart…mind…spirit…attitude.

There is nothing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus doesn’t impact.

Whether a nine year old church kid or a eighty-five year old Sunday School teacher. The death, burial, and resurrection of the carpenter from Nazareth brings fullness and joy and anticipation and peace and life and hope and wholeness to every situation before us.

Yes, it’s the old, old story. It’s the story to which every other story points. And it’s the story that allows us to “face tomorrow.” Let’s be thankful for how often we’ve heard it. And let’s beg the One who dreamed all of this up – for us – to apply it to our souls…again.