How does Easter represent new life?

For weeks I had been thinking about the cycle of the day, from sunrise to sunset. And then the birds began chirping outside my window as spring moved in.  The seasons added to my thoughts on the day about how does Easter represent new life…

The topic: “Spring, Easter, and New Life” brought forth the words from ideas to the page.  

What better way to celebrate our Risen King, than celebrating the world he has given us to live in and which daily witnesses to his amazing goodness and strength.  

The day and the seasons serve as extended visuals, metaphors even, in a framework for understanding new life in Christ.

“The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.”
-Psalm 50:1 (ESV)

If we look at the day, each morning at the dawning of the sun, we see new life, an awakening. The sun gives light throughout the day, and then it sets.  Darkness sets in.  Death comes to the day.  But each morning the sun breaks forth again.  We reawaken; there is life.

So too with the seasons: spring is the beginning of new life. The grass turns vibrantly green, birds resume their song, the flowers—eager to show their splendor—emerge from the ground in stunningly brilliant colors.  Any yet, the heat of summer begins to dull them.  Fall initiates further change.  The trees’ leaves make a last show of it, in their dying, shouting:

“Hey, look at me!  I am still beautiful.  I am Orange.  I am Yellow.  I am Deep Red.  See me.  I am here.”

But the finality of winter says that you too must die: even the leaves on the trees.  And yet—how glorious each spring—they each, in turn, see new life; some reawaken and some are newly planted. The cycle continues.

How does Easter represent new life?

But what is Easter? Is its new life just part of the cycle?  Is it simply a rebirth, a reawakening?  It fits the metaphor, and it rightly occurs during spring.

Easter reminds us that Jesus’ death was not the end for him. He was brought back to life: to live new life. Easter—Christ’s “new life,” his resurrection—is not literally repeated each year.  He died once.  He rose once.  His death and resurrection are what we celebrate each year at Easter.  The one-time event is played out over and over again in the Easter celebration, even in the seasons, and in the cycle of the day; these events remind us. These events point us to the greater work of God—to the bigger and more amazing event that has already happened in Jesus and that we wait for: new life is promised to those who love him.

God reminds us each Easter, each spring, each day of what he has done and what he will do. He shows us, calling us to follow, to believe, to be a part of the beautiful event that plays out before our eyes each day, each season, each Easter, to have new life, fuller life, rebirth, renewal, and a reawakening that is similar to Christ’s resurrection and yet his is so much more glorious than these extended visual reminders.

He calls us to new life in Him.

Originally posted on Easter Day, April 24, 2011 on www.incourage.me.

What are your thoughts on Easter? Have you thought of Easter like this before? Did you find this helpful? Leave questions or comments below and share with your friends!

Other Helpful Resources:

• Jesus’ 7 Last Words: Remembering Good Friday
• “Father, Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit”
• Bible Study on Mary, the Mother of Jesus
• Why I Decided to Join the Episcopal Church
• Finding Someone to Trust in the Midst of Pain

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