Easter in Africa

You know it’s Easter in Africa when …

… you schedule lunch for 2 p.m. because half your friends won’t get home from church till around then.
… you dress up for church in one of your finest outfits –- purple tie-dye.
… the guy leading the service tells the congregation to “stand up and dance like David.”
… choir members leave their section to dance through the aisles.
… the ushers pass out tissues so everyone will have “banners” to wave while singing.
… the stage is draped in white, purple and red fabric, symbolizing purity, spiritual vitality, and the blood of Christ.
… everyone files to the front to place their offering in a wooden box.
… the sermon doesn’t start till almost 2 ½ hours into the service.
… at the end, the congregation forms a spiral-like line as people wind around the sanctuary to shake everyone’s hand.

* * * * * * * *

Sometimes at Easter, I think predominantly about the cross and the suffering –- “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities … and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

But yesterday’s service was such an eruption of joy that all I could think about was the victory – He conquered death! On Easter, the whole earth – all of nature and the nations of the earth – celebrates the glory of the risen King!

So this year I find myself dwelling on Isaiah 55, rather than Isaiah 53:

“You will go out in joy and be lead forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.”

Isaiah 55:12

This video gives you a taste of that “joy bursting forth,” West Africa-style:

Il est vivant – He’s alive!