We all know the story of the Wizard of Oz. The movie was one of the first I ever remember seeing. The Wicked Witch of the West scared me as a kid. With her army of Winkies and her air force of flying monkeys it is a wonder that she didn’t conquer the whole land. The movie and the musical named after it didn’t spotlight the witch’s forces much. The Winkies in particular don’t get a whole lot of attention, especially after the iconic scene where the witch melts away. But in the 1970s another play, called “The Wiz” came along and featured the Winkies a whole lot more. After the evil witch is gone they cast off their drab clothing to reveal more colorful garb and sing and dance to a song of pure joy. Here are the lyrics to the first verse of that song:
Everybody look around
‘Cause there’s a reason to rejoice, you see
Everybody come out
And let’s commence to singing joyfully
Everybody look up
And feel the hope that we’ve been waiting on
Everybody is glad
Because our silent fear and dread is gone
Freedom, you see
Has got our hearts singing so joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Don’t those lyrics seem like they belong in the bible? You wouldn’t bat an eye if you read this coming from Mary or the Disciples after the resurrected Jesus revealed himself. In the Wiz the death of the witch causes freedom and joy for the people. With the story of Easter it is a bit different. It isn’t the death of an oppressive ruler that sparks the joy, but the reinstalled life of the Christ.
Matthew 24:36-52
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
What changed after the first Easter? What was the result of Jesus coming back? Did the people gain freedom from Roman rule?
No.
Did they obtain wealth? Were their bank accounts any different?
No.
What about status? Did they gain any status within the community?
No again.
Well then, what did change?
Let’s look at Peter before the crucifixion and after the resurrection:
Matthew 26:69-75
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
And here he is talking to the people after Jesus’ ascension
Acts: 2:36-39
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
It’s like it is a completely different person talking. To say that Peter was a changed man would be a major understatement. Surely something changed for him. What changes for us? Do we get wealth or status or physical freedom? No we don’t. But maybe we are asking the wrong question. We should be asking ourselves what the important things in life are. Here is a quick list I was able to come up with:
Healthy relationships
Love
Purpose
You can add more of course, but those three go a long way to telling us what really matters in life. Jesus focused on all of these things. He preached a message of love. He fostered healthy relationships. He gave his followers a grand purpose. This is what the resurrection really does. It changed those things that really matter (or that really should matter) to us. The Easter event defines us as Christians and enables us to carry the Good News of Jesus throughout the world.
Love, relationships, and purpose: the things that really matter in life. Easter forever changes us by improving each. We focus on them. We work on them. We become better people because we do.
Can you feel a brand new day?
God Bless