Easter equals grace

Why go to church on Easter?

It has been taught from generation to generation that this is where we are to spend Easter morning. We dress nice to go hear the story of Jesus that died on the cross. It is a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Easter brings many to church, and, as we all walk in, we’ll see both new and familiar faces. Stranger will offer stranger a greeting, not understanding the depth of one’s life, the individual’s journey, the perspective they bring to the table, the unique threads woven into their fabric, or where they uniquely stand at the moment.

Some walking in to church may think that their current situation, their journey, their life doesn’t exactly lend itself to acceptance at church. These thoughts miss the point of Easter. The point is grace. Grace would not be needed if lives were perfect, if we didn’t all need it. In fact, grace is the great equalizer. Everyone needs it, and Easter gives us a fresh look at grace.

Jesus began his time of service to others at the age of 30 and died at 33. In 3 years, the time that we spent in high school, he changed the world, reset the calendar, and started traditions that continue over 2,000 years later. 3 short years.

In the 3 years, to fully understand Jesus, the person, one only needs to understand one word. Grace.

Grace is defined as “unmerited forgiveness.”

Jesus was grace. He forgave. He understood. He had compassion.

In today’s busy and divided world, grace is hard to find. We lack compassion, instead, judging without knowing. We hold grudges. We create division. We talk about others, quick to spread rumors. We are the opposite of grace.

But, Jesus was grace, and one of the great pictures of this is revealed through the eyes of Peter. Peter walked closely with Jesus through these 3 years. He saw firsthand the meaning of Easter.

Simon (Peter) was a fisherman, the sea his hunting ground. One day, as he was pulling his net in on the beach by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus approached him, looking deep into his eyes. The Bible uses the Greek word emblepo to describe the gaze. Emblepo means to “look upon” with a “close, penetrating ‘look.’”

On the beach that day, Jesus, being God himself, looked at Simon and knew all that would happen in his life. He knew that Simon would say that he was committed but turn his back on him at his darkest hour. He knew that Simon’s passion and tendencies to speak his mind would get him in trouble throughout his life. And he knew that Simon would never, could never, live a life without failure.

Yet, even knowing all of these shortcomings, Jesus didn’t condemn or pass Simon by to find someone who could better measure up. Not Jesus. Not him who was grace himself. Instead, at that moment, looking in his eyes, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock.” At that moment, Jesus said that Peter would be a rock for his ministry, the church. Jesus overlooked the future failures of Simon and welcomed the man Peter with open arms, giving him a life of immeasurable purpose, joy, and hope.

In a moment, Peter’s life changed forever. Peter had a new best friend. He walked with Jesus for 3 years. He worked with him, shoulder-to-shoulder, laughed with him, cried with him, ate with him. He was always at his right hand.

Despite his love for Jesus, Peter’s final act toward him prior to his death was betrayal. As Jesus was getting brutally beaten, spit on, flogged, and finally murdered, Peter refused to help. Worse, he pretended that he didn’t even know Jesus.

In the midst of the turmoil, we catch a glimpse of grace.

As the crowds are leading Jesus to the cross through the courtyard, Peter locked eyes with the beaten Jesus, on his way to death. Those same eyes that offered the penetrating look in the carefree moments on the beach a few years earlier were now locked with Peter in the darkest moment of his life.

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:61-62

Peter couldn’t handle it and ran away crying. He had seemingly failed his best friend at the one time when he needed him most.

But, this was the way it was supposed to be. This was the entire reason that Jesus was headed to the cross. Grace for man’s shortcomings.

After the crucifixion of Jesus, when Mary went to the tomb early Sunday morning, the stone has been rolled away and there was an angel greeting her. Mary must have been startled beyond belief. She looked on in amazement. Jesus had risen! Everything he said was true!

Mark 16:7 captures the heart of Jesus. The angel turned to Mary and said, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter.” Go and tell Peter.

Peter! The one who had denied him and refused to acknowledge him. The one who was certainly hurting more than anyone else because he had turned his back on Jesus.

The angel said to make sure Peter knew that Jesus had risen. Jesus cared for Peter and wanted him to know that everything was okay. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Forget about how you denied me, Peter. Just know that I have risen.”

This is Easter.

After receiving the news, Peter recklessly told others. As Jesus said in Luke 7:47, Peter had been forgiven much, so he loved Jesus much.

So, this weekend, don’t let your past keep you from the cross. After all, this is the whole reason we celebrate Easter.

Easter equals grace.

Full of stress, confusion, difficulty, hardships? This is why we celebrate Easter. Relief, hope, clarity. Easter is a reminder that there is an anchor that we can cling to during our journey. A chance, an opportunity to forget the past. Forget the mess. The same Jesus is available to us. For renewing, for a fresh start, in compassion, in love, full of grace. The answer is Him.

Thank God for a Christ who overlooks it all and clears our guilt. He who has been forgiven much loves Jesus much. This is the definition of grace. May it be true in your life as well.

Easter equals grace.

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