Easter 2022

 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

 Luke 24:4,5

            As I heard the Easter story being read, This phrase -"Why do you seek the living among the dead?" - jumped out at me. Is this an indictment on this generation? Is this describing me? I don't necessarily mean that I'm following a dead teacher like Muhammed, Ghandi, Confucius, Joseph Smith or the likes because I believe in a risen savior, Jesus. In the fall we put on a corn maze at the church and let's say there are a bunch of entrances to start at. At each entrance lies a dead guide (kind of morbid but then again it is at Halloween), but at one entrance is a guide alive and well saying follow me, I know the way because I've already done this. Which path seems the best to you? Obvious answer. So no, I am not seeking the Living among the dead.

            However, how much of our time, our pursuit of "life" is found spent in pursuing dead things? By "life" I mean excitement, joy, fulfillment, energizing happiness... Those times where you just let out a contented sigh saying, "Aaah, this is the life." You can picture times in your life like that and frankly our continuing pursuit in life is to recreate those moments and ideally perpetuate them. By "dead" I mean those things that belong to this world and therefore like this world are destined to decay and perish. The angels would say to you, "why are you looking for that life in and among the world and all it has to offer. They can't supply this life. Only the giver of life, the one that said 'I am the life', can give you that kind of life you want."

         I'm not saying those things are bad to pursue. We all need money but if you think it leads to happiness just ask the latest millionaire who committed suicide (well technically I guess you can't) If you think sex or relationships give that life, even though God gave us sex and created us to be relational, those things don't led to "life". Men often seek "life" in their career and women in their family. (forgive the generalizations) Both are great and God given but not God. Only God gives that kind of life.

  Jesus said, "I come that they might have life and life more abundantly" Why are you seeking the living among the dead. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you"