a purer conversation...

The Annual Commercialization of Easter

Easter Sales and Pastels, come and get 'em!!

Easter Weekend is intended to celebrate and magnify the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, He who conquered death, He who defeated evil, He who endured sin and shame, MY SHAME, YOUR SHAME (!!!), He who was raised from the dead to give life to those whom he foreknew, whom he also predestined, to be conformed into the image of Christ (Rom 8:29, paraphrase). Christ the King is to be the sole focus of this weekend.

But when it comes to the annual Easter weekend, what have we really done with it? Easter bunnies and painted eggs come to mind? They ought to, our society is proliferated with bunnies and eggs and pastels . . . but to what end? I'll inform you: Commercialization, Commercialization, Commercialization. To be graphic, and honest, in the same way people sell themselves for money, I'm afraid the church has allowed Easter to be commercialized in such a way that our focus has been largely impeded. The very presence of Easter bunnies in our churches should indicate the dire need for a refocus.

Can we all agree that while bunnies and eggs and pastels are not inherently evil, (well maybe pastels are, but anyway . . .) what is inherently evil is the loss of the church's intentional, clear explanation of the Gospel message, and the following up process known as "discipleship?" I think so. The church really needs to come to grips with this reality. The secular world has prostituted Easter, exchanging what the church considers HOLY for gold. What's wrong with that picture?

HERE"S THE GOOD NEWS, thanks to the teaching of influential Bible-believing, Bible-teaching churches (such as Travis Ave B.C., The Village Church, Redeemer B.C., Momentum Christian Church, Bethlehem B.C., and so many more), their is still a core of teaching occurring that helps to point the Bride of Christ in the right direction.

I make no apologies for the indictment here, it's a reality many need to first embrace, then reform. But how? Here's how: Teach the Bible, pray, teach the Bible some more, disciple new and old believers, teach the Bible again, love God's people, and continue to teach the Bible.

posted by Bryan Laramore @ 5:30 PM