He is risen
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 redesign, 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 Nate 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 (KJV)
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.