Which came first, the chicken or the egg? No, that’s not really what this article is about! But a similar question is sometimes asked by searching Christians – which is more important, Christmas or Easter?
And, just like the first question, you are not going to find the answer in this article. There are arguments for both sides. Some say without Jesus’ birth at Christmas, there would be no Easter. Others respond that without Easter, Christmas would have no future.
The Good News
The good news? We don’t have to choose! The two events are bookends to the earthly life of Jesus, but they are not the beginning nor the end of his story. As John said in his version of the Christmas story, “In the beginning was the Word.” God became human in the Christmas story, but Jesus had been here all along.
Jesus was born and lived as a person. He came to live like us, set an example, and teach us how to live. That’s the rest of John’s message – “the Word became flesh and lived among us.”
And the events of Holy Week are not the end of the story. Not the arrest. Not the taunting and beating. Not the mock trial. Not even the crucifixion, death, and burial are the end. In fact, there is no end. That’s the message of Easter! Not only was Jesus raised from the dead, but he gave all of us who believe the same opportunity – to be raised to eternal life.
The gospel writer, Matthew, records those beautiful words from the angel to the women at Jesus’ tomb – “He is not here; he is risen!” And John quotes Jesus, “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
The Challenge of Easter
And therein lies our challenge – whoever lives and believes. You see, it’s not just the believing, it’s also the living. First Presbyterian’s mission is to ‘make and mature disciples for Jesus Christ.’ You see, it’s not just that we become disciples; it’s becoming mature disciples. And that means following the teachings and example of Jesus during his earthly life.
Yes, it’s some of those hard things he said. Like – love your neighbor and your enemy. Turn the other cheek. Become a servant if you want to be great. Take care of the hungry and thirsty and sick and every kind of needy person. Always tell the truth. Forgive and keep on forgiving. Don’t worry.
It’s easy to have discussions and debates about what is most important. It’s not so easy to live like Christmas and Easter have real meaning in our daily lives. Jesus was born as a human to show us how to live.
Jesus died for us to show how far he was willing to go to demonstrate his teachings. Jesus was raised to show us that “whoever lives and believes” in him has the hope of eternal life. Now it’s up to us. To be real believers who live like true followers.
May God help you on that journey!
Rev. Richard Phillips, FPC Care Coordinator