Biblical Humans on Easter
Being Religious and Following Jesus
While out walking with my daughter in our new neighborhood, we were cutting through the parking lot of a church just as their Saturday night mass was getting out.
People were spilling out joyfully into the warm spring evening carrying their palm leaves. Palm Sunday is tomorrow, and in one of the most unified times of the year for the church, Christians are participating.
In what?
In worship. In liturgy. In observance. In rhythms of reminding of our Lord, who He is, what He's done, and what it means for us.
This is a good thing.
Except, it's not a good thing if the religious practices are mistaken for following Jesus.
Before crossing that parking lot, my daughter had already asked me why so many Christians don't act like Jesus.
My answer was that if we're in a culture where it makes sense to be a Christian, that is, makes social sense, then some people are probably going to sign up, though they actually don't fear God or even believe in Him.
And it all makes me think about the question: What's the point of religious practices (which I actually love)?
They are supposed to be helpful in shaping us into the kinds of people we are hoping to become in Christ.
But isn't it so easy to forget that and think it's about the religious practices?
The church services
The morning devotions
The Bible reading plans
The prayers
The *way* we pray
The confessions
The meditations
If we do these things a lot we think we're being good Christians, but I don't think so.
Instead, I think that if we can love our enemies.
Tell the truth.
Be generous.
Serve graciously.
Be patient. Kind. Gentle. Self-controlled.
May our religious practices lead us to bear the fruit of the Spirit.
May our Easter egg hunts lead us to love our neighbors (I know an Easter egg hunt is not a religious practice.).
I love church and all the things that go with it, but if I ask God to search my heart, I'm not asking Him to show me how committed I am to church, but how much like His Son I'm being. And I need lots of help with that, so I'll go to the church services, I'll do my morning devotions, prayers, Bible reading plans, and all the rest.
Happy Palm Sunday and I pray you have a great one.
Loved this post, especially hearing about your walk with your daughter and the conversation you shared. Your thoughts make me stop and examine my own heart and mind. Thank you Jeff.
Good Word Coach BRO. Thank you. Congrats on your new HOME!!!
Important to consider any day…somehow Easter and Christmas Do Draw the crowds. I used to be in a family that did the 2x a year church worship. It did not satisfy. The advertising industry runs promise of satisfaction…maybe I do too, sometimes. But Jesus, His Dad and the Holy Spirit are RICH in reality and remind me…just like you did here, What knowing God really is:knowing He loves us just like we are and being motivated from that point of His love to love others. I still get off track…but He is there calling me home, back to basics: He loves us and died to show us.