Easter greetings are extended to all faithful readers of The Anguillian from the heart of yours truly. Well, I must dare say that lately I have been less than a faithful writer, and I must apologize to all you who have missed my articles over the months, as well as to those who have been encouraging me and inquiring so often when I would “resurrect” from my phase of sleep or, rather, when I would release myself from the preoccupation of so many other tasks that often preempt my writing mood. By the same token, I would like to thank the editor and management of The Anguillian for their encouragement of me to write, and for welcoming this, my first article for the year.
Much has taken place in our lives since I presented my last article on the Philippines typhoon last November. Much has indeed taken place globally since then, as we align the perilous events of our day with what God predicts would imminently transpire. Time has swiftly passed on since November, and the changes or “transitions” that have taken place remind us that both time and life are but one fleeting, dreamful experience. Nothing remains the same. Just about everything changes. And while we would wish that every change was for the better, we must admit that there are so many changes that present themselves for worse. Yes, at times we become severely challenged to cope with these changing times. I am at this point reminded of another old familiar hymn, a couple lines of which go like this: “Change and decay in all around I see, O thou how changest not abide with me.”
As we reflect on Easter, we reflect primarily on Christ. Clad in human garb, over two thousand years ago, He too was challenged. He too witnessed that time is filled with transitioning events. From His expectations to leave Jericho and head south up to Jerusalem, He was fully aware that He would confront a great deal of drama. I don’t mean acts of “drama” now, but real life experiences that would really create a turning point on the stage of human history.
So, leaving Jericho behind, Christ embarked on a journey of anticipation that would bring Him into the holy city of Jerusalem. He had already warned His followers that He was going there, and that much evil would befall Him at the hands of the Romans who had been brutally oppressing the Jews at that time. His disciples tried to persuade Him not to go, but to Him the trip was expedient. He had to go there to be tried by sinful rulers, and then the turn of events would result in His sacrificial death. That was His purpose. Well, by the look of things, upon entering the city – on the back of a lowly donkey – it would have appeared that Christ had it all going for Him.
The people were excited, and their spirits were jubilant. They had offered Jesus a smooth journey into the city by tearing off palm branches and paving the dusty, rocky streets with them. But it was not only palm branches, for they honored Him to the extent that they stripped off their precious clothes and spread them out on the streets to cushion His rugged donkey ride. Man! They were really paying homage to the man they thought would be their deliverer. By all accounts, here came their Messiah, the one who would set them free from oppressive Roman rule, or so they thought. In line with their expectations, they hilariously shouted “Hosanna! Hosanna!” which means “Save us now Lord! Save us now Lord!” They were expecting Him, who had done so many mysterious and admirable works, to do something miraculous and save them from the tyranny of wicked Roman Emperors. That was Sunday.
But by the middle of the week, the people had vehemently turned against Him. I say “time is filled with swift transition.” The tide of popularity had drastically turned into resentment for the man whom they had first regarded as their deliverer. How could people be so ungrateful? How could they be so unkind? After all the miracles and good works which Christ had done, His very own now turns against Him just because they figured that he had ignored their call for liberation. They did not even understand His purpose for coming to Jerusalem in the first place. Their honor for Him changed; their acceptance of Him changed; their admiration for Him was dashed. Those who had a few days before hailed Him as their deliverer now denounced Him as an imposter; a deceiver; a blasphemer – a hoax. While they had helped to provide Him with a comfortable ride on an ass, they must have felt like colloquial “asses” themselves now, because He, as it were, had taken them for a ride.
In truth, a transitioning process was taking place. But Jesus remained focused on His mission. On the Thursday he had summoned His twelve key followers to be together with Him in the Cenacle, the Upper Room, for a ceremonial Last Supper. From this moment on, He would eat with them no longer. He made known to them that the bread that He was breaking to share with them, at this auspicious event, was symbolic of His very own body which would be brutalized for them; and the cup of wine that they would partake of thereafter would be symbolic of His very own blood. How morbid! How horrendous! It would have appeared like He was so insensitive to their noble feelings of Him as their Master. What kind of “death talk” was he getting at?
Then, it really hit them like a ton of bricks when He pitifully announced: “One of you will betray me.” His followers were stunned. With that pronouncement, time stood still. The flabbergasted disciples looked at one another in amazement. They sought to inquire from Him, the omniscient God, “who could it be”. But Judas had to be filled with a certain sense of guilt and conviction, for he would be the culprit.
That night in Gethsamane, Judas pounced on Jesus with a sarcastic kiss. The soldiers rushed at the Christ and arrested Him at once. In the spur of the moment, old Peter took out His sword and aggressively chopped off one of the high priest servant’s ear. Time was indeed “swiftly transiting”. Great dramatic changes were taking place. James and John, who together with Peter, had accompanied Jesus to the Garden for a night of prayer, suddenly vanished as their hearts were captured by certain fear. But Peter, still trying to pretend to be fearless, stayed with the mob, though hiding in the shadows of the rising moon. Alas, his Master was in trouble. The Romans had finally captured Him, and in just a short time he himself would deny that he ever knew Him.
Well, it would be on the cross that Christ would make His ultimate sacrifice. But it would not end there. After He would be buried in a dismal, cold stone-tomb, within two days’ time, there would be a triumphant transition. Death would give way to a glorious resurrection, spelling victory for both Christ and His devout followers. Hallelujah! He is risen indeed!
And so, we commemorate that great Easter event today with joyful celebration, knowing that whatever dismal experiences we may encounter in this life, they only come as living lessons from which we can evolve just as the brilliant sunlight of that first Easter morn shattered the darkness of the tomb and filled the dawn with glaring light. What a rich and jubilant reward. And, like Christ, as long as we remain focused in our faith, the changing scenes of life would only lead us to triumphant victory and manifold blessings.
Have a happy Easter everyone!
