Easter in pictures

Above and below: Of course, what is spring without picnics and flowers?

Above sign reads, "Jesus Christ died on the cross and came back to life again for the sake of the people of the world."

Above: The Easter rally was fun, encouraging, and worshipful.

Above and below: Dressed in our Easter best, and smiling faces. It was a wonderful day, complete with an Easter egg hunt and delicious curry lunch.

Teacher Training Seminar

I had a lot of fun participating in a teachers' training seminar in a rural mountain village a few weeks ago. I went to a very small, very rural new Christian school with a few other teachers from the school in Kathmandu where I teach English. We gave two days of seminar on how to teach phonics, early childhood education, how to use arts, crafts, games, stories, and music for enrichment, and basically how to have fun and learn at the same time. The seminar was a lot of fun; I really enjoyed being with the teachers, and was honored (and shocked) to discover through the experience that I really do have skills to contribute! I don't feel qualified as a "teachers' teacher"... but maybe I am. I felt really welcomed and appreciated. The time went by really fast, and seemed productive. Of course, we were invited to come back again and give more training. I would love to help with future teachers' trainings like this one.

He is Risen Indeed!

The news is that Sri Satya Sai Baba died on Sunday, April 24^th. He had quite an international following, including many devotees here in Nepal. He died at age 84 of multiple organ failure. Now his body is being kept in a transparent box at one of his ashrams in Puttaparthi, South India. I quote from the BBC news report: “Sai Baba will be remembered as someone who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life.” For the complete article, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13184124

And in case you were wondering, my title, “He is risen indeed” does not apply to Sai Baba.

So, how is Jesus really any different from a man like that? Is he any different to me? Or to you? Or is he just another great spiritual leader who inspires us to lead moral and meaningful lives?

I was reminded of the sobering truth just last week: the vast majority of Hindus see Christianity as just another of the many ways to God. Faith is the end in itself. It doesn’t really matter what you believe, as long as you believe in something. I was talking with our neighbor lady (thanks to Naye befriending her two grandsons who live with her!) and as our conversation turned to Jesus, she smiled and said, “Yes, we have many religions, but the same god.” Really? Is Jesus just another Sai Baba? Is “faith in faith itself” enough for us? Is that all we need?

As we celebrated Easter, I was thinking again about how significant it is that Jesus’ grave was empty. Have you ever thought about how foundational this is for our faith? Easter is unlike any other day in history! This is the day we remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead!

The claims Jesus made about himself are significant. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) and in the same conversation, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) Jesus didn’t claim to be “a god.” He said “I am the God.”

In the weeks leading up to Easter, I had a lot of fun with our children’s church on Saturdays, going through the many different old Testament prophecies that Jesus Christ fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection. It made me realize afresh: Jesus really was a very unique person in history.

Jesus’ death was significant. He died a horrible, gruesome death. I don’t know that any religious group could be proud of retelling such an aweful death story. “Our leader was mutilated and mocked; he died the death of a criminal.” What could possibly be beautiful about a bloody cross?

The movie, Passion of the Christ was shown at our church on Saturday night (the day before Easter). We saw God’s amazing answer to our prayers when the church was PACKED full of viewers, many of whom were our unbelieving Hindu neighbors who were entering the church for the first time! Everyone was very respectful and sober throughout the movie. Although it is an aweful story, something about the crucifixion of Christ is really beautiful. Jesus makes it beautiful. There on that cross, Mercy and Justice were satisfied and point again to Christ. This grace that we find in Him is altogether unlike anything other religions have ever preached about.

But more significant than the death ofJesus is the resurrectionof Jesus. I quote Saint Paul, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God… But He did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised… if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 15, 17) Everything we believe hinges on this resurrection. If it’s not true, we who have given our hearts and souls to this gospel are to be pitied more than anyone. How sad to waste our lives for a lie! “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Is it true, or isn’t it? Is Jesus Christ worthy of our faith or not?

“This is what was written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. And repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48)

The grave is empty. It was empty that morning, and it remains empty today. “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… for as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, 22)

On Easter Sunday, area churches gathered for an Easter celebration. It was a wonderful and joyful gathering. I was so encouraged by the worship, and seeing Christians join hands and hearts in prayer, praise and celebration of our Risen Christ.

Finally, Jesus’ gift to us, the Holy Spirit of Power, is significant. The Holy Spirit living in us is so precious, so vital, so real. Do you know Him? He wants to know you, and fill you, and work through you beyond your wildest dreams!

Do you believe in miracles? I will tell you about a miracle that happened this month. She is a little baby. The doctors told our Hindu friend “Debbie” that either she or her baby, or both were going to die. There was no possibility of a healthy delivery. She was too weak and had too many health problems. When her siblings announced this to our church, we began to pray. And we also began to visit her and encourage her. A few weeks ago, “Prasamsa” was born, a healthy and beautiful baby girl. And Debbie is also fine. Do you believe in miracles? They come in all shapes and sizes. A newborn baby. A powerful healing. A group ofweak and selfish people whose hearts have been touched by the love of God, transformed by the Holy Spirit, and made able to reach out in love to address the pain of people around them.

How could I respond to the neighbor lady’s statement, “Yes, we have many religions, but the same god.”? Unfortunatelly, my Nepali is not so good. But, I do know how to say, “No.”

“No, Jesus is different. He is not the same as Hindu gods.”

More than different; He is His own category.

Above: worshipping and praising the risen Christ at Easter rally, 2011 in Kathmandu.