FULL AND EMPTY

Romans 6:1-11

Here we have two glasses. One is full of water and one is empty. It's easy to place a subjective value on each. Fullness – a positive; emptiness – a negative. Yet, each can have a deeper meaning than that.

The full glass of water can mean refreshment on a hot, summer's day or revitalization after a long bike ride. It is healing for a fevered body. A full glass of clean, sparkling water is life for someone who is dying of thirst or for a village whose only water supply is an open, running ditch contaminated by waste.

An empty glass is filled with possibilities and promise. A glass stands ready to be filled to toast a couple beginning their married life together or to celebrate their 50^th anniversary. Perhaps it will come to hold punch served at a baby shower in honor of the first grandchild. Maybe it will be set out to be filled from a pitcher of lemonade to greet a long awaited visitor.

        

In the week to come, we will be asked to look at two crosses – the cross of Good Friday and the cross of Easter morning. One is empty and joyful and victorious. The other is filled with sorrow and pain; it is hard to look upon.

Yet each has a message and meaning for us.

The cross of Good Friday and the suffering that led to Christ's death can be difficult to ponder. In twenty-four hours we are confronted with the evil and sin that all human beings are capable of:

• The greed of Judas and his betrayal of Christ.
• The denial of Peter.
• The fear that scattered the disciples.
• The jealousy and pettiness of the religious leaders.
• Pilate's willingness to go along to get along.
• The anger of the crowd.
• The cruelty of the Roman soldiers.

The sad truth of our human condition is, given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any of these acts. The cross of Good Friday reminds us that we are all sinners in need of being saved.

But there is another message for us in this cross. God, through Christ's suffering and death, says, “Look at how much I love you. See what I am willing to go through so save you.”

Because of God's unconditional, self-giving, self-sacrificing love through Jesus Christ, we are freed from the power and control of sin. We are given new life and second chances.

“Could it be any clearer? Our old way of life was nailed to the cross with Christ, a decisive end to that sin-miserable life—no longer at sin’s every beck and call!” (Romans 6:6, The Message)

The cross of Good Friday proclaims the glory of God's unfailing love for us, and the empty cross of Easter proclaims the glory of God's promises kept – then, now and to come. It is the affirmation of our faith – Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again!

“If we get included in Christ’s sin-conquering death, we also get included in his life-saving resurrection. We know that when Jesus was raised from the dead it was a signal of the end of death-as-the-end. Never again will death have the last word.” (Romans 6:8-10, The Message)

The empty cross of Easter carries with it the expectant and sure hope of the resurrection for those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ. It also holds the promise of Christ's final victory and God's redemption of all creation – the new heaven and the new earth where love, righteousness, justice and peace are the norm.

I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea.

I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.

I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” (Revelation 21:1-5, The Message)

Two crosses: one “full” and one empty; one hard to look upon and one that is much easier on our eyes. But both are needed, both have priceless value. Together they proclaim the entirety of the glory and the grace of the good news of Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection.