Easter: After the greatest loss, the greatest victory

Perhaps, you were shocked and saddened, like many at the fire in Paris which engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday, April 15. This historic cathedral, begun in the 12th century, has been a center of the Roman Catholic faith, and of Christianity, in France.

In many ways, however, Notre Dame represented not just the Christian faith, but represented France to many around the world. In fact, the cathedral was so important in the mind of the French, I am told, that when mileage from Paris to another location in France is calculated, the Paris location of measurement was Notre Dame.

It was the center, the heart of Paris.

So, losing this center of Christian faith — this center of French spirit — is a blow to the heart and to the spirit of many.

Reality of the fire is now soaking in. The disbelief and the grief at the loss of the cathedral is palpable. Many are left wondering, “How could this happen?” Many are left asking, “What now?”

Even as people search for the cause of the fire and destruction, there seems to be a sense of emptiness, of sorrow. The cathedral will never be present again in its historic form.

Perhaps, this loss can begin to remind us of the loss experienced by the disciples of Jesus on Good Friday. However, the death of Jesus was so much greater than the destruction of an historic cathedral.

Jesus was not just a symbol of God’s power, compassion, and love. Jesus is the Son of God Himself. Jesus is the cornerstone of the foundation of God’s Church.

On Good Friday, it was not a building that burned, but the promised Messiah — the Son of God who died on the cross.

No wonder the disciples could not recognize Jesus on Easter morning, and could not recognize Him on the road to Emmaus. The eyes of their minds were blinded with grief and loss.

Sadly, tragically, the death of Jesus was necessary in God’s effort of sacrificial love to make atonement for sins we had committed.

As Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Jesus, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by hiswounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6) Our sin made the death of God’s Savior necessary, if we were to be forgiven and saved.

As I read about the fire at Notre Dame, I have also read that there were reparations taking place. The cathedral was deteriorating. The limestone structure was in danger of crumbling because of pollution.

If and when a rebuilding occurs, maybe this problem will now be addressed in a way not previously possible.

Christians see Jesus’ tragic death — not as bad news that points to our sin — but as good news concerning the love of God. When He died, Jesus willingly laid down His life down to pay for the sins of the world, to pay for our sin.

As Jesus taught, 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 11:11, 17-18) What a tragedy and burden of guilt! Our sin is so grievous that the Son of God had to die to pay what we owed!

Therefore, what unbelievably good news for the people of the earth, for us sinners, that Jesus did not stay dead, but He rose again that first Easter! What good news, what a reversal of fortune, that the tragedy of Jesus’ death, is overcome by His rising to life!

What victory that Jesus’ rising overcomes the consequences of our sin, which caused even the Son of God Himself to die!

Because Jesus rose, as we trust in Him as our Savior, we now have the promise of new life in heaven where God promises, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

The destruction caused by our sin and our weakness has been overcome by the sacrificial love and the victorious rising of Jesus.

The loss of the Notre Dame Cathedral will continue to cause downcast hearts and spirits. But, hope is rising that perhaps a new cathedral will take its place, one built of even better materials.

In order to understand the good news of Easter, we need to first understand the depth of our lost-ness and sin. But, when our sin hits us on Good Friday, Jesus’ Easter victory lifts us.

I pray that you can join your heart in the joyful chants of Easter victory from Christians around the world again this year. “He is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!!