From the Minister
I know that April begins with Easter this year, with Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday being the 2nd, 3rd and 5th respectively. But if I’m honest mention April and my mind immediately jumps to – April Fools!!!!
OK Ok, what has that got to do with a sensible minister like me or the church in general?
In sixteenth-century France, the start of the New Year was observed on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then, in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, moving the start of the year to January the first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them "April fools." These people were fools for not believing in the change of calendar
As we celebrate Easter, though, many think that it is us Christians who are fools! Fools for believing that God sent Jesus into the world in the first place, let alone allowed him to be put to death on a cross, for us. And if that’s not foolish enough we believe that then a couple of days later, he came back to life to show that even death can be overcome. In a rational world, where we believe in only what we can see, science can explain everything, and there is no room for the divine then these beliefs may seem foolish or far-fetched.
I have to say though this isn’t a new thing. Way back in the first century Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying "We are fools for Christ" (1 Cor. 4:10)
This doesn’t mean that he thought that Christianity is against rational thinking. Rather, that he was willing for others to consider him a fool for holding to the truth. It’s a recognition that there is more to life than just what the world offers. If worldly wisdom keeps us from God, then it is not true wisdom at all. As Paul also wrote, “If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise” (1 Cor. 3:18).
The truth is, God loved the world and its people so much that He sent His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him may not be lost, but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Giving up everything for us, dying for those who reject Him, offering second… third… seventh… chances—this might seem like foolishness. But for those who need it, for those who want it, it is actually good news!
Rev Rick