With the nation’s attention fixated on the security of our schools, the looming threats from militant dictators, and political and social distress, Easter cannot come fast enough. Why? You might ask. Often times with what looks like unrestrained evil running rampant, even the Christian can be susceptible to the notion that God either (a) does not seem to care or (b) does not have the power to do something about it (Ps 94:3,7, Is 40:27.) In this article, I want to prove that Easter is the explicit answer to give hope against these notions.

Easter reminds us that God cares more than we do.

The first false indictment I want to address is the idea that somehow God does not seem to care about the evil taking place in the world. To begin, we must remember of whom we are talking about. We are talking about the self-existing, self-satisfying, eternal One who created all things out of no pre-existing matter. In Him is the epitome of perfection. He is perfectly pure, holy, righteous, and in Him there is no evil (Is 6:3, Ps 92:15, Ps 97:2, Ps 5:4). Since He is perfectly righteous anything that goes against His character causes Him to be fully opposed. If there were even a tiny fraction of God that did not care about wickedness, He would not be entirely righteous and would cease to be God. Therefore, by His very nature God must hate evil.

In Genesis chapter 3, immediately after the rebellious Fall of Man, God was already instituting His plan to eradicate evil and restore all things to Himself. And throughout the Old Testament, God was faithfully furthering His promise to overcome sin and death. Listen to battle cry of Isaiah in chapter 25 as he reminds the people of Israel of God’s original plan:

“You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure… [You] will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people He will take away from all the earth… ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us.’” Isaiah 25: 1b, 7b-9a

It is clear that as creatures made in the likeness of our Creator, we too desire justice and righteousness, but not nearly as much as God. He has cared from the beginning.

Easter reminds us not to confuse God’s patience with apathy.

Therefore, if the Bible is clear that God truly does care and has promised to “swallow up death”, why do we still struggle with God apparently not caring? Let me pose one of many possible answers. Romans 2:4 says this:

“Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

And 2 Peter 3:9 is similar:

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

As Christians, it is important for us to keep this perspective as we live in a fallen world. As we witness travesty, rather than our minds wandering to the doubtful position of “God, do you not care?” Let us rejoice and thank God for His promise to eliminate evil. And let us praise His merciful patience that allows people to repent and turn to Him in dark days. God is so kind and gracious to put up with the very thing He hates most just so sinful people like you and me can be saved. Let us never confuse God’s patience with not caring.

Easter is God’s promise fulfilled.

The final notion I want to address is the one that God does not seem to have the power to stop the evil around us. Of all the reminders that Easter brings, this one may shout the loudest. Too often we see the world with tunnel vision. The Christian must always see the world from an eternal perspective. If we get caught up in the problems of the ‘here and now,’ we overlook that God has indeed already displayed His greatest act of power against sin and death. The Cross! For it was on the cross that He paid the infinite debt of sin, and it was in His resurrection that He removed the sting of death! Jesus Christ is the conquering King seated on the eternal throne who props His feet up on the footstool of sin and death. All sovereign authority belongs to Him and His reign and rule shall see no defeat!

For it is in Easter that the Christian will never say again, “God, do you not care?” or “Can You not save?” For Easter is the ‘promise of old’ fulfilled and the guarantee of final glory. In Easter hope is restored and praise is fitting for the tongue the Redeemed! Celebrate with us on Easter Sunday at EASTWOOD TULSA at 10:45am.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3