Have We Outgrown Easter?

For many people today, Easter is a holiday in search of a reason. The secularization of our culture has gutted its meaning and left them groping for a reason to celebrate it. All they've been left with is Easter eggs, bunnies, and bonnets—kids’ stuff.

Years ago, I heard a news interview about the pending sale of an exhibit by the Art League of Santa Cruz, California. The Last Supper was a room-sized rendering of the famous painting done in wax like something you’d see at the Hollywood Wax Museum or Madame Tussaud's. It had been a San Francisco Bay Area tourist attraction for fifty years, but the Art League was looking for a buyer.

The League representative being interviewed said, “Fifty years ago, the community was very conservative and our gallery didn’t display works of art depicting nudes or other controversial themes. However, times have changed and so has the gallery.” Then he said, “We’ve outgrown the Last Supper.”

I’ve often pondered that statement as our culture rushes toward a pseudo-maturity and sophistication that easily discards the symbols and values of what is deemed our “immature” or “less enlightened” past. I don't believe there’s anything particularly sacred about the Last Supper display, and I can understand that after 50 years, the Santa Cruz Art League might want to change this exhibit. But have we really “grown” beyond our need for the faith and wonder it symbolized?

One day, Jesus’ disciples were arguing with each other about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus told them that the pathway to genuine greatness was to become more like children. He wasn't advocating childishness or immaturity, but rather, a maturity that maintains a child-like simplicity, wonder, and reverence.

When I was a little boy, my dad would sometimes kiss me on the cheek to express his love for me. Then, as I grew older, I made it clear to him that I had outgrown that kind of thing. However, in my rush to be “grown up”, something of a closeness with my father was forfeited.

Years later, as an adult, I had gone home for a visit with my folks. As I was preparing to leave, I struggled to find an appropriately adult way to let my dad know I love him. Suddenly, he threw his arms around me and gave me a big hug. Then, he kissed me on the cheek.

I stiffened because I didn’t know how to respond, but inside I felt so warm and secure. I decided that day that I wanted to rediscover what it means to be childlike.

Have you outgrown Easter? Has the wonder of Christ's resurrection been elbowed out of your life by the values of our culture that make no room for the miraculous? Have you lost the ability to respond to the love of a Heavenly Father who has extended his forgiveness to us and secured it in such a dramatic way?

I invite you to join me in rediscovering the joy of this season.  Let’s with child-like simplicity, sincerity, and sensitivity celebrate the cleansing of soul that Jesus has made available through His sacrificial death and the new life He offers through His resurrection.  Let’s allow our hearts to be swept away in awe as we marvel with wide-eyed innocence at the great power and love of the eternal God who raised Jesus from the grave.  And, let’s determine to never become too old for Easter.