It’s funny that when you do a literature search surrounding rescue, renewed hope or dare I say salvation, the image of a fluffy bunny rarely emerges in any serious text. Indeed when you study the real meaning of Easter, you don’t find any mention of chocolate. Now in the spirit of kindness and not wanting to be targeted as a religious nut, I will admit that while I’m not fond of the rabbit, I do have a fondness for chocolate eggs. The reason being that chocolate eggs point to the new life that can be had through Jesus Christ. The message of Jesus is love and sacrifice. A love that he proved through his willing sacrifice on a cross at Calvary for our redemption. Apart from the obvious, the reason that this topical message is so valuable to each of us, Christian or not, is that love and sacrifice for others can give you purpose. Being motivated to look after those in your care first, can give your mental health the boost it needs.
Charlie Chaplin and Modern Times
When I was studying, I was introduced to the silent film Modern Times by Charlie Chaplin. Created at a time when industrialisation was king, the film follows the negative and de-personalising effects of the factory system on a modern man. If the film were re-made today, you could not help but replace industrialisation with social media. The reason being is that social media is the most powerful influence in today’s world. It tells us both implicitly and explicitly that we should be the most important person in our world. Not only that, it fools us into believing that our image is even more important than reality. Even more important than truth if we are honest. I’ve got friends, who if you believe FB, haven’t frowned or had a bad day since 1997.
The sad thing is that it seems we have all fallen for the great lie, hook, line and sinker. We strive to own more, build bigger houses, always have the latest car and service the biggest debt. Whilst there is nothing inherently wrong with any of these things, the trouble is that it takes a great investment of funds, effort and emotion to service this lifestyle. What we end up doing when this all gets too much, is feel hopeless, drown our sorrows in any number of things and post selfies of it to cheer ourselves up.
Take this heart and make it break
Yahweh U2
An alternative
In my mind, Jesus offers us an alternative. An example of this can be found in the recount of his encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well in the Gospel of John. Jesus was known as a Jewish Teacher and had a small following at the time. Whilst travelling, he met a Samaritan woman in obvious need at a well in the heat of the day, so he helped her. You see the significance for a Jewish man to be alone with a Samaritan woman in Samaria at the time, would make him ceremonially unclean, yet Jesus didn’t care. The woman in need was more important than his own reputation.
Only the worst of society would go for water in the heat of the day, because they had been shunned by their community. Jesus first helped the woman with her physical needs by helping her draw water from the well. He then did the far more significant thing by caring for her soul as well. Not only did he give her what she needed, as the Son of God, he forgave and restored her. My argument here then, is that caring for others in need does as much for our wellbeing as it does for theirs. Jesus had lived according to his heavenly values rather than the social and religious mores of the time and people were blessed with hope as a result.
Ten feet tall
I can remember an elderly woman who lived on her own in a small fibro house in my suburb. A friend of mine had enjoyed her company at Church over the years and so when he found out that her house needed painting, he offered our help. Thirty or so of us turned up on a Saturday morning and got to work. By just after lunch, the exterior was sparkling with new paint. My mate had not only helped an old friend in need, he had made thirty of us feel ten feet tall for the rest of the weekend. All at a minimum of effort.
Doing selfless things, big or small, is a boost to our souls. As we get older, we all realise that giving a well thought out gift is more exciting than receiving one. The real joy is offering blessings to others rather than receiving it, as nice as that is. Jesus knew it. It is one of the many messages that emanate from his Gospels.
This Easter Sunday
You don’t have to be superhuman to offer blessings to others or sacrifice your health for them, though some wonderful people do. Whilst grand gestures are wonderful, the simple ones are just as important. Have elderly neighbours? Start bringing in their garbage bins. Friends in Coviid lockdown? Drop off some groceries. Have an acquaintance who doesn’t get asked out much? Ask them out for coffee. Don’t ever do the dishes? Start doing them occasionally. The point is that we can all do something for others that will make us feel better as well. It has the effect of taking our focus off ourselves for a short time and in this self obsessed world, that is a gift.
Easter Sunday is a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is about when God came to earth and took the pain of death upon himself that we might be forgiven. Jesus Christ’s message is of love, forgiveness and sacrifice. His example is of putting others first and caring for those in need, no matter their circumstances. No matter the cost. His example offers a clear message for those of us caught up in our modern routine of struggle and appearance. Care and be kind.
Related links
Yahweh & “40” – U2 (Vertigo Tour Live From Chicago, 2005) – YouTube
Such wise words. The littlest thing you do can mean so much to others. Don’t underestimate just doing something 🙂 Even if tiny.
The little things have meant so much to me in darker times. It really has taught me to appreciate kind avts.