Risen, indeed.

This Easter morning at the church I grew up in, the children’s minister gathered the little ones for the weekly “children’s time”.  She asked the kids what day it was and they exclaimed “EASTER!”  Then she asked them what Easter was about and came the cacophony of shouts “the easter bunny!” “candy!” and “hunting eggs!”
At this the church erupted in amused laughter and chuckles.  It took Jessica a few minutes to get the word Jesus into the conversation.
I think I was the only person in the room not laughing.
Not so much at the children’s answers.  They are kids.  Kids relate to furry bunnies and colorful eggs a whole lot easier than a broken and bloodied man on a cross that somehow rose again two days later to save them from eternal death.  I guess the church’s reaction is what has stuck with me ever since.  The next generation of the church sits before them-learning from Wal-mart, and Cadburry, and those marshmallow easter eggs and Hannah Montana what this Sunday is all about.  And our reaction to it: Amusement.

Psalm  145 says

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

4 One generation will commend your works to another;
they will tell of your mighty acts.

5 They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and I will meditate on your wonderful works. ^[b]

6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.

Every day, but especially on this one, the day we celebrate you setting us free, you are most worthy of praise, my God and King.  To be exalted above every other name,  Show us, Father, how to commend your works to the next generation.   To teach, to equip, to raise up.  Press upon our hearts the urgency to tell of your mighty acts, of the splendor of your majesty.  May we never, ever hinder what you desire to do in these young lives you have put before us.  May we never take them for granted.
I pray for a new revelation of spiritual mothering and fathering to come over your church.  May there no longer be orphans found in your house.

“Wow, Jess really needs to lighten up”, some of you may be thinking.  Let me be clear on a couple of things: by writing this am I condemning every parent who lets their kid go to an easter egg hunt or gives them an easter basket? NO.  Of course not.  The letter kills, but the spirit brings life, right?   Do I believe the exchange that happened this morning is a glimpse into the state of the Body and what we are valuing as important to teach and live out in the midst of our children?  Yes.  Does it make me think about how I want to raise my own children in the future? You bet.  I pray for the grace for us all  to wrestle through these hard things of His Kingdom.