From the jump, society/religion has been trying at best to catch up and at worst cover up what really happened on that first, epic Resurrection morning (Mt. 28:15). In other words…keep it in an abstract, unexamined box. What concerns me is that many believers are playing right into this narrative by allowing in over-commercialized distractions or privatized observances that do not include the public at large. Why must we “go public” in our celebration of the empty tomb of Jesus Christ?
I give you three reasons:
“Public” is always the result of the individual believer who sees the empty tomb.
As David Platt says, “Privatized faith in a resurrected King is practically inconceivable.” Anywhere in the Scriptures you see someone interact with the evidence and experience of Easter you also see them testifying of it in a very tangible, visible manner. Though the resurrection has obvious spiritual benefits, it also involves the bodily resurrection of Jesus that should deeply affect and alter the bodily presentation of the disciple of Jesus.
“Public” alone allows the veracity of Easter claims to be examined and affirmed with irrefutable conclusions.
As one author recently pointed out, “Christianity, unlike any other religion is based on the public ministry, public execution, public burial, & public resurrection of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t call for blind faith, it leaves behind a body of researchable historical facts…even today, it calls on us to ‘come and see’ if the claims are true.”
Here is an effective illustration of the how Christianity contrast with all of the “close curtained” religions of this world:
Third, and most importantly, “public” allows outsiders to buy into the personal and eternal benefits of the only resurrected Messiah in history.
In the finance world, the term “initial public offering” (IPO) or stock market launch is a type of public offering in which shares of a company usually are sold to institutional investors that in turn, sell to the general public, on a securities exchange, for the first time. Do you realize that Easter being celebrated in the local church near you provides this public offering to many who have never before peered into the vacant tomb of our Savior.
Remember that the stone was removed not to let out our Jesus out but to let in our neighbor, coworker, relative, and complete stranger. Disciples of Jesus must “go public” this Easter. Eyes and ears connected to eternal souls need to experience it leave the box through you. Invite them. Prepare for them. Pray for them. Sing for them. Serve them. Preach for them. Follow up with them. It’s IPO time!
Acts 4:10-12
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
harleysnode 