LOOKING AHEAD:
YEAR-ROUND PASSION

"He is risen!"

Easter has passed, but these words are still resounding in our ears, in our churches and in our hearts. They are words that fill the dark places of our lives with hope and promise.

I will never forget the emotion I experienced watching the last few moments of The Passion of the Christ. I had just spent over two hours witnessing Mel Gibson's representation of the excruciating, incomprehensible suffering of Jesus. It was almost too much to bear as the reality of Christ's suffering was brought into perspective for me.

But then?then came Sunday. As I sat watching the closing scenes, tears still wet on my cheeks from viewing the Crucifixion, the picture started changing. The light of dawn appeared and grew brighter; I saw an empty cloth lying in the tomb; and then appeared a man-Jesus-looking very much alive, very much at peace, and very triumphant. And at that moment, I could hardly keep myself from jumping out of my seat and shouting, "HALLELUJAH!"

Now, I already knew this ?end? to the story. Even if that scene had not been included in the movie, as a Christian I would have still known the truth of Jesus? Resurrection. However, the emotional impact created by what my eyes saw could not be measured. I was filled with the joy of knowing that I will someday see Jesus with my own eyes, be able to touch His face, and to feel His love in real arms wrapped around me. This Jesus experienced the incomprehensible so that I might live?and live to know Him fully.

There are probably people who walked through your church doors for the first time in a long while because of your Easter programming. Maybe, for the first time, they learned of the significance of Jesus? death and Resurrection; and perhaps some in attendance recommitted their lives to Him through the experience of your Easter services. I think of how odd it must feel for these people to experience ?normal? church when they have just experienced an Easter service presented in an extra-sensory way.

In churches across the world, pastors prayed and worked diligently toward creating powerful?and often visual?Easter services with the knowledge that this was going to be an important day. We all understand the significance that visual impact plays in a message, and that is why we work so hard during that special service. The greater challenge is to avoid slipping back into less ambitious displays due to time constraints or financial challenges.

We have an opportunity and responsibility to maintain the quality and professionalism we achieved during Easter so that we do not lose anyone from our lack of preparation. As churches, let?s make a commitment to uphold the standard we have set for ourselves this Easter by continuing to impact people with every tool we have to convey the Message and hope of our risen Savior.