Easter

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. So I went to church and went through the usual tired customs that the churches go through every year about this time. Palm branches to wave during worship service were given to everyone at the door. Songs were sung, an offering was taken, and then the pastor delivered his pep talk. My wife loved every minute of it. However, during our pastor's delivery my six month old started crying, so I took her and went to the cry room in the back of the auditorium. There was so work being done to the audio systems so the speakers were not working in that room... it was a relief. If my daughter hadn't started crying I probably would have gotten up and took a walk or fell asleep in my seat as usual.

It's the same thing year after year. I've heard it all my life. Yes I know Jesus was crucified and died. Yes I know about the nails, the crown of thorns, the stripes on His back. Yes I know He was resurrected. I'm not hearing anything I haven't heard or read a thousand times over. And to be frank, it has become nothing but a dead religious service when I'm with these people. Many times I've listen to this pastor... and will visibly roll my eyes at his performance. I expect Easter Sunday will be no different than all the other Sundays before it at this church. As you no doubt have probably guessed by now, I have a problem with Easter. And before I go on to the spring feasts of Israel, I wanted to take a minute to address Easter. It is not so much what these pastors are preaching that will cause me to roll my eyes at them, and get up and walk out of service... or sit right in front of them and go to sleep in my seat despite all the dynamics, power points, and appeals to emotion. It is what they refuse to preach. You see, I read the books in the bible that they avoid preaching from. I know that these things terrify them. I know that they really don't believe. I know that many of them are not even saved... and that they fear offending church goers more than they fear God. Any pastor (or Christian for that matter) that tries to convince me that its okay to celebrate Easter has got some serious explaining to do. This is one of Christendom's many golden calves. The video below explains what my problem is with Easter celebrations. While I may not agree with the creator of this particular series on every point, I have seen enough truth in his presentations to carefully consider with prayers, and compare with the Scriptures. May the Spirit of the Lord be with you.