East-a-whaaat?

Jesus said, “Nobody lights a lamp and then covers it with a basin or puts it under the bed. You put it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see the light” (Luke 8:16). The After-School Bible Class and I were talking about what it means to “let your light shine” and one of the answers was something along the lines of “coming to church.” We talked a bit about “when” and “why” people come to church.... Sundays for worship and Sunday school, special meals to be with people they know in the church, weddings, and so forth. And especially during Holy Week....

We talked about Easter and Good Friday and two of their comments and questions stuck with me. One, about Good Friday, after we talked about the crucifixion of Jesus: “Why do they call it Good Friday, if he died?” The other, about Easter, after I explained how Jesus’ death conquered death for all time because Jesus rose from the dead: “He did whaaat?”

The comment reminded me of the funny E*Trade television commercial—“milk-a-whaaat?!”

Most adults in the church know that Jesus rose from the dead. Many understand that the resurrection of the Lord is why Easter is the biggest day of feasting and celebration in the church year. Yes, bigger than Christmas.

But on Easter morning almost no one is astonished. Almost no one is amazed.

But we ought to be.

“He did whaat?”

He rose from the dead.

“How?”

Well, the Bible doesn’t tell us exactly how. The New Testament book of Romans says Christ was raised “through the glory of the Father”—that is, by the glorious power of God.

But we don’t know how.

All we know is that it happened. As Frederick Buechner wrote, “He rose. A few saw him briefly and talked to him. If it is true, there is nothing left to say. If it is not true, there is nothing left to say. For believers and nonbelievers both, life has never been the same again. For some, neither has death…”

Christ arose!
“East-a-whaaat?”

We ought to be
amazed,
flabbergasted,
confused,
lost in wonder,
speechless.

Christ arose!

There is nothing left to say.