| The fun folks who market kids' candy under the Wonka label have dreamed up a new twist on the old Easter egg hunt. The Zero Gravity Egg Hunt comes pre-packaged in a plastic bag emblazoned with the promotional slogan, "Hide Easter Eggs Where They've Never Gone Before!" Each kit comes complete with 12 pouches of candy intended for filling 12 plastic eggs. The eggs, though, come with attached suction cups, super sticky tape and strings so they can be stashed practically anywhere. "Hang 'em on a tree branch or on the dog's collar... Hide 'em under a table or grandpa's toupee," instructs the back of the sack. No doubt, these fresh techniques will spark some creative and challenging egg placements, and we'll probably add them to the repertoire of our family Easter celebration.
While I've been dreaming up clever places to conceal the seasonal treasures, I've also been contemplating what it signifies, spiritually speaking, to play this game. Eggs, I've always been told, are symbolic of new life. Just one step away from being new life itself, an actual, unfertilized egg is a tidy container of potential, a shell-full of promise. The Christian celebration of Easter is completely focused on the potential and promise of new life in the wake of our savior Christ Jesus' death. As his followers of 2000 years ago experienced the incredible sensation of Christ's actual presence in their midst even after his public execution and burial, so do we today find joy by being in relationship with the One who won out over death. We put our hope in his fantastic revival, his regeneration, his resurrection. We find security in the knowledge that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus-not even death. (Romans 8:35) While Wonka's eggs might go where no eggs have gone before, Jesus Christ did that personally a very long time ago. The beautiful egg he offers- new life- isn't cleverly hidden. It's right out in the open and completely available to be scooped up. If you haven't yet put this egg in your basket, this Easter season is the time! Alleluia, Amen! |
| Pastor Chris |