I’m not much of a Christian on Easter

Let’s get this over—I struggle with Easter.

And if I’m not seen as much of a Christian because of my honesty about Easter, I understand.

My struggle is— I can’t figure out how a good man, in this case, Jesus, could be condemned and crucified on the cross for teaching people how to live a life grounded in love.

It is hard for me to consider celebrating the resurrection of Jesus when I don’t think he deserved to die.

Did he commit a murder?

Was he a thief?

Was he a liar?

Was he a fraud?

Was he evil?

No.

Seems to me that irrational, fear driven minds wanted Jesus condemned and crucified. The truth didn’t matter.

In James H. Cone’s book, The Cross And The Lynching Tree, he quotes Dr. Martin Luther King, and a comment he made after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Dr. King told his wife: “This is what is going to happen to me also. I keep telling you this is such a sick society.”

Sadly, the sickness of our society has not gone away.

During March, the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament generates lots of excitement across America. In the final seconds of an intense game, unexpected upsets can destroy a fan’s carefully constructed bracket. .

And unfortunately, for a team who earns a berth in the tournament, they can have their excitement disrupted by individuals who take pleasure in being disrespectful, hateful, and unkind.

On the evening of Thursday, March 21, as the University of Utah’s women’s basketball team was walking to dinner in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho “someone in a pickup truck displaying a confederate flag, yelled racial slurs, and revved the engine in a menacing way,” toward the team. (NBC, ABC, NPR, CNN)

Regrettably, this is another example of our “sick society.”

Bonnie Raitt is a gifted singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Perhaps, you have heard her Grammy winning song, “Just Like That.”

The song was inspired by a news story that Raitt had seen. A mother had donated the organs from her deceased child to help others. Because of this act of kindness, this courageous mother was able to meet the man who received her child’s heart.

Touched by the emotion of this meeting, Raitt wrote the beautiful song, “Just Like That.” I will admit, this is a song that makes tears well up in my old, weary eyes.

I am drawn to the song’s compelling lyrics, especially this line: “They say Jesus brings you peace and grace, well, he ain’t found me yet.”

In our “sick society,” we seemingly have many people who haven’t found Jesus, and his peace and grace. And truth be told, I have days when I wonder if I have his peace and grace.

As defeated as Jesus felt as he trudged toward his death on the cross, I can only imagine how he feels when he looks down on our “sick society.”

I have discouraging days too. Days, when I feel like giving up on scripture reading, pondering a devotional, and praying. On those days, I feel like the devil is a half step behind me.

And yet, something nudges me at the start of a new day to continue to read scripture, ponder a devotional, and pray.

My college roommate, H. D. Sherrill, Jr. is a graduate of Duke Divinity School. During his career, Reverend Sherrill had a variety of assignments in churches and local nonprofits. He is a very gifted storyteller.

Back in January, he shared a story, a conversation with one of his four grandsons. Reverend Sherrill wondered if this grandson might be interested in learning how to become an acolyte.

When he asked if the grandson had any interest, the grandson responded: “Pops, I’m not a churchy person.”

Reverend Sherrill accepted the honest answer.

A few weeks later, Reverend Sherrill noted that the not very churchy grandson was in the acolyte training class.

Curious, he asked his grandson why had he signed up for the class?

Reverend Sherrill received the best answer: “Pops, a person can change.”

Bonnie Raitt affirmed that in her song with this line: “And just like that your life can change.”

And even though as a so called Christian, I struggle with Easter, I will hold on to verse 21 of Romans 12: “Don’t be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.”

Happy Easter, love you all, Bill Pike