Easter Eggs

With the rise of the virtual generation, the term “Easter egg” has taken on new meaning. A virtual Easter egg is an intentional hidden message, in-joke or feature in an object such as a movie, book, CD, DVD, computer program, web page or video game. If you use a Windows operating system, you can see an example of this by opening your Solitaire game and hitting the alt, shift and number 2 keys at the same time.

For a whole host of other examples, see this

We can trace “Easter Eggs” in computer games back to the 1970’s. But I think the idea goes back much farther than that. I believe the Easter Story itself contains hidden Easter eggs.

I think the folded cloth was one—I am not talking about something so trite as the current spam email going around. But I do believe there is a hidden message for those willing to step into the empty tomb and examine it. It certainly had some effect on John.

I believe the falling-down-dead guards are another. I am not sure of the full meaning, but in that scene we have a Guy who is supposed to be dead up walking around and two guys who are supposed to be alive acting like they are dead.

I believe the determined women are another. We have 3 women heading out to anoint the dead body of Jesus. On the way, the remember the big rock and know they will not be able to move it. And they keep going. If this had been 3 men, they would have headed back to town, found a group of the strongest men they could find (in the absence of a good 4 wheel drive Dodge) and then headed to tomb with pulleys and pry bars. But the women just kept going. What is hidden in that fact?

I know there are others—the sign over Jesus’ head, the wine-soaked sponge, the gambled clothes, and others.

Maybe I will have a different kind of Easter Egg hunt this year.

The Word

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105

I have been spending a lot of time in that verse this week. I find great value in reading a particular verse over and over again and letting it speak to me in different ways. Here is some of the light God has given me through that verse this week.

God’s Word is unique in its light.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Devotional books and sermons are great, but only insofar as they give us the light of God’s Word. They are not substitutes for the Word. Our only true and certain light comes from spending time in God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God’s Word dispels darkness
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Our lives are often dark, uncertain, confusing, fearful. It is easy for us to focus on the dark and unknown and become distracted from God’s path. God’s remedy for that is His Word. It brings vision, clarity, understanding, courage and boldness.

God’s Word moves us forward
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

Notice, it is not light for our chair, couch or bed. Nor is it for our heads, hearts or hands. It is for our feet and our path. God is constantly moving us forward. His Word keeps our feet on His path.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

God’s Word directs our next steps.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

We don’t get the whole map or the whole trail. We get light for our next few steps. Our distant past needs no light. The light for our distant future will come as needed. For today God’s Word enlightens only the next few steps along the path. The writer of Proverbs has a great way of expressing this:

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Law and Gospel

Mark Driscoll is one of the pastors of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. He tends to draw a lot of fire from my tribe, but here is a great clip of him explaining the concept of Law/Gospel distinction–a teaching near and dear to my Lutheran heart–and doing a fine job of it.

When we lose sight of this distinction, we lose our effectiveness as missionaries.

Listen here

For other great theological and missional sound bytes, check out Theology Bites.