I have two inklingz posts outlined in my trusty notebook, but got home today and found something that struck me as more important. There was a catchy quote on a small envelope in my mailbox.  I read it twice, my interest piqued—but I guess not enough to open it. Distracted by my other mail and [...]

Easter presents the most important question that each person must answer in his life—what happened to the body of Jesus of Nazareth? Contrary to the eponymous Bunny which has become the symbol of this day, Jesus of Nazareth lived—he was a historical figure—he was real. The life of Jesus arguably better documented than that of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln—and the historical documentation was from both sympathizers and critics (it’s ironic that the writings of those who despised him are some of the best evidence of his life—ah, the law of unintended consequences!). Jesus lived.

Jesus was also killed. This relieved his enemies—those threatened for either political or religious reasons (perhaps both in some cases)—by the message he propagated. He proposed nothing short of a re-ordering of all things, an upside-down, inside-out order that meant those on top might end up on bottom, and that those on the bottom might actually be on top. He was the evidence himself, he claimed—God come to earth in the form of a human—arguably the most radical cosmic re-ordering possible!

And as if that wasn’t enough to upset people, he threw in a few comments about conquering death and rising again on the third day.

So it was in the interest of the establishment (or so they thought) to get rid of this man and his upside-down, inside out nonsense—just in case. The religious establishment trumped up false charges and used the political establishment to carry out a rigged trial and the execution. It all came down to the body—and everyone knew it. The body was the only evidence needed to prove that Jesus was a phony, that there would be no ‘rising again’ on the third…or any other day—that there would be no new Kingdom with an upside-down, inside-out order. They snuffed out the man and now would snuff out his following.

So they put Jesus’ body in a cave, with a sealed rock in front of it and armed guards to protect it.

How did it come to this?

Easter presents the most important question that each person must answer in his life—what happened to the body of Jesus of Nazareth? Contrary to the eponymous Bunny which has become the symbol of this day, Jesus of Nazareth lived—he was a historical figure—he was real. The life of Jesus arguably better documented than that of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln—and the historical documentation was from both sympathizers and critics (it’s ironic that the writings of those who despised him are some of the best evidence of his life—ah, the law of unintended consequences!). Jesus lived.

   “I’ve a most terrible feeling-as if something were hanging over us” said Lucy. “Have you?  Because as a matter of fact, so have I,” replied Susan. “Something about Aslan.  Either some dreadful thing is going to happen to him, or something dreadful that he’s going to do.”… “Susan!  Let’s go outside and have a [...]