Sharing His Cross at Easter

“Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord, and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way. “ 

1 Peter 3:15, (Living Bible)

I have always been an Easter girl. As an Easter girl, I have been all-in with woven Easter baskets filled with brightly colored plastic grass, masterfully dyed eggs, hollow chocolate bunnies, and jellybeans galore. My children were always perfectly dressed in the best new outfits our Easter budget could afford—all pinks, yellows, light blues, a starched white shirt for my preacher man, and shiny new shoes or sandals for all. The family Easter picture was essential, and no one could change clothes until all were present and Mom approved of the photo taken in front of the hydrangea bush in the front yard. Pulling up to the after-church table for our Easter dinner of spiral ham, yeast rolls, and Carrot Cake was as important as fitting my entire family on the church pew—we came hungry and desired to be filled. Although valuable, I mixed the Easter message of hope, sacrifice, and resurrection with traditions of no eternal value. I filled my Easter to-do lists with Springtime fun, baby lambs, Easter candy, and egg hunting. In my heart, I always knew I could do better. Why did I hide His Cross at Easter? 

I recently spent time with a missionary friend who shared with me that, over the years, she had become much less focused on the Spring chicks and fluffy bunnies portrayed as the representatives of Easter. Instead, she focused more on the Cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As I inquired more, she shared how she lived in a neighborhood filled with people of various religions. With each holiday and special occasion throughout the year, her neighbors celebrated their special days with fireworks, party invitations, and all types of yard paraphernalia—each sharing the heart of their pagan religions. Why had she been so hesitant and quiet to place her simple Cross on her front door instead of the cute floral wreath accented with Spring chicks? The Holy Spirit convicted her heart. She decided her seasonal Spring decorations would stay in the box in her closet, and she would share a clear message of Christ’s death and resurrection for all to see outside her doors. Her bold witness would be a clear message of her family’s faith and settle the question: Easter is about Christ crucified on a cruel cross and His victorious resurrection bringing to all the hope of salvation. She knew her early morning walks with her neighborhood friends would give her new opportunities to witness the true meaning of Easter as soon as her neighbors noticed her floral Cross and “Jesus is Alive” flag at her door. 

My friend’s decision to be missional in her Easter decorations may seem minuscule; however, her decision and witness inspired me to do more, become a bolder witness in my neighborhood, and display a clear message of faith, especially on Christian holidays. Those without Christ hunger for the truth, while Christians too often bury the message of the Cross underneath the colored grass as if it were an Easter egg meant to be hidden. There are so many people trying to find real, authentic hope. I want to share a clear message this Easter and every day. Jesus is ready to be found by all. 

Mission work is so much more than serving full-time overseas in the rainforests of a country we cannot pronounce or find the location on a desk globe. Mission work is about lighting up the darkness with our stories of faith, hope, transformation, redemption, forgiveness, and love right where we are planted. Jesus is the way. Missions are about sharing His story—the life and mission of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  

“And when I am lifted up on the Cross, I will draw everyone to me.” John 12:32 (Living Bible)

The clear message of Jesus Christ is best shared through our relationships every day. We can do more. Just as my missionary friend inspired me to do a better job of sharing the most incredible story ever told, I hope to inspire you to make sharing your faith normal. Look for those around you who seek truth and are lost or hurting. Share the good news as easily as you would share a good recipe or story about a pet. Love them enough to make a clear path to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I remember singing these lyrics one Easter Sunday at church, and my heart is still singing its truth today: 

Lyrics:  

When I think about the Lord, 

How He saved me, how He raised me, 

How He filled me with the Holy Ghost. 

How He healed me to the uttermost. 

When I think about the Lord, 

How He picked me up and turned me around, 

How He placed my feet on solid ground 

Chorus: 

It makes me wanna shout, 

Hallelujah, 

Thank you, Jesus, 

Lord, Your worthy, of all the glory, and all the honor, and all the praise. 

Copyright: 1998 CFN Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) 

When I think about the Lord, it is too hard not to share His saving power and goodness! In fact, sharing His Cross at Easter is normal.