Journal
He Is Risen
16 April 2006 › 9 comments
I just wanted to say happy Easter to everyone out there. Hopefully we’re not all too caught up in dyeing, hiding, and finding eggs, all the while stuffing ourselves silly with various marshmallow confections, that we forget about the real reason for this blessed day. I really wanted to do a mini re-design, or at the very least change my header graphic, but alas I am visiting with family and find myself at a PC sans Fireworks or FTP.
So, I instead will point you to the site of Nathan Logan, who did a cool time-based design. On Good Friday, historically recognized as the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, Nate’s site bore a dark theme featuring the cross on a grey cloudy background and the words “It is finished.” Today, it shows the flip side of that coin, a bright and cheery theme bearing the exclamation “He’s Alive!”
Anyway, let us take time to pause in remembrance of the infinitely powerful God choosing to become weak and vulnerable like us, ultimately dying a criminal’s death, taking on a punishment for which he was blameless, that we might be reconciled with God the Father. Here are a few of my favorite scripture passages that sum it up for me:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. – John 1:1-5 KJV
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:4-6
Anyway, I think it is important today (as with every day) to not get too caught up in the hoopla, so much so that it detracts from the reason this holiday exists in the first place. We need to be focused on truth, and not get too distracted by “Christian fiction,” such as the Gospel of Judas and the Da Vinci Code. If anyone wants a good book that contains solid evidence on the arguement for Jesus’ resurrection, let me recommend The Case for Christ.
Discussion + Dissension
Comments closed after 2 weeks.
#1 Mithrill
He is risen indeed!
Great post and I love the verse you selected from Isaiah.
Enjoy the rest of this wonderful Lord’s day.
#2 Yannick
Nice post Nathan and good verses too. I agree that we shouldn’t be getting caught up in the hoopla but instead fix our eyes on the Lord, the author and perfector of our faith.
Peace and God Bless.
#3 hendra
For He has risen, I can face tommorow…
Happy Easter
#4 matthew
Nathan,
Amen. He is risen indeed.
This holy day I am more eager than usual for maranatha. Although there is nothing new under the sun, there is still much grief, much pain, much loss, yet all is rubish compared to the surpassing joy of knowing Christ.
Amy and I are praying for you and your wife.
M
#5 Nathan Logan
Thanks for the link, bro – and I appreciate your help with the finishing touches on that design.
Good thoughts on making sure that we’re celebrating Easter for the real reason and not getting distracted with Cadbury eggs or faux grass. He is risen indeed!
#6 Mark Priestap
He is risen indeed! Without Jesus’ righteousness and sacrifice there would be no grace. Without grace, God the righteous Judge would have no alternative but to destroy us all. Praise God for Jesus who set his jaw like flint to do His Father’s will for the joy set before Him. One day we who believe in Him will see Him and will all be changed.
Thanks for this post Nathan. May the Lord bless you.
#7 Michelle Flynn
It’s so inspiring to see fellow designers such as yourself and Nathan Logan sharing topics on our faith on your blogs. Thanks alot for link, I’ve bookmarked you both. God bless you as you continue to bring Him glory through your blog.
#8 Nathan Smith
Preach on y’all! Jesus lives and reigns, even today in our postmodern world. It makes me wonder, what will we be when we’re bored with postmodernism? Post-postmodern? Regardless, Christ is always relevant and needed.
Michelle: Thanks! I appreciate that people find my musings inspiring. I’ve considered in the past trying to seperate my “professional” site from my beliefs, but have not for two reasons: 1. I’m lazy, and don’t want to maintain two blogs; 2. I find it very difficult to draw a line between the two.
#9 Ben Gray
“Christ is always relevant and needed” So true. It brings me a lot of comfort knowing that no matter what happens in our country, in the Middle East or elsewhere in the world, Jesus will continue to reign and God will always be King of kings.