When my kids would ask, “Dad, when’s spring break?” all I would have to do is look up the date of Easter and I’d know it was the following week. Even though that’s a common academic scheduling tradition, maybe there is more to it. Maybe God knows that right after our remembrance of his Son’s death and resurrection, a spring break must come, a spiritual one. We need a designated time of renewal and revitalization that is more than a simple Sabbath.
Maybe God knows that right after our remembrance of his Son’s death and resurrection, a spring break must come, a spiritual one.
In the tech trenches, it does not often feel like we get a real chance to rejuvenate ourselves. With the stress of Good Friday and Easter Sunday services being all we focused on since the day after Christmas, we can often lose sight of the miracle of the resurrection as the opportunity for humankind to be renewed in its relationship with God. The pastor may have just been preaching, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming,” but we’re just thinking, “Oh please, when is Monday coming?” When can we rest? When can we breathe? We need a spring break.
Renewal of faith
Of course, the break Christ is concerned with is a spiritual one. While taking a Sabbath in order to restore our bodies and our sanity after the added workloads is important, we should really be rejoicing in the miracle that just happened. A biblical spring break is one that tangibly demonstrates our faith in Christ. Where Jesus may be “the reason for the season” at Christmas, he is also the reason we have been reconciled to God in the Resurrection. Therefore, “do not remember the past events [like the eight Easter services], pay no attention to things of old [like the new set that took four weeks to construct yet is about to be torn down in two days]. Look, I am about to do something new [that involves you and I]” (Isaiah 43:18-19). Christ is bringing an eternal break for those who choose not to look to the pain of the past, but instead become renewed in the miracle of his rebirth. “Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; . . . they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). They will be strengthened to continue to be his gospel craftsmen.
Where Jesus may be “the reason for the season” at Christmas, he is also the reason we have been reconciled to God in the Resurrection.
Renewal of purpose
We know that we have an important role in helping the congregation worship our Savior, but knowing that only goes so far. We need true renewal. Colossians 3:12-17 is known as the “put on” section of Paul’s epistle. He instructs the congregation to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, forgiveness, love, peace of Christ, thankfulness, the Christ’s word, wisdom, gratitude, and care for correcting people in their faith. These are all actions that turn learned-knowledge into performed-action.
Let’s not lose sight of the fact that the miracle of Easter Sunday is our spiritual spring break. Renewing ourselves means that we put away our schedules and event-induced stress and focus on restoring our relationship with Christ and his people.
