Is the Super Bowl Cancelled?

I was walking through a local park one day and noticed that the play ground had been cordoned off, and the basketball hoops were taken down.  Spring is here, but in this season of new beginnings and breaking out of our winter cocoons,  we all have to hibernate and stay away from each other, so our parks, which would normally be bustling with activity this time of year, are empty.

As a sports fan one of the big disappointments of our current reality was the cancellation of the NCAA basketball tournament. I admit that I'm a fickle fan, so I don't really pay much attention until the post-season tournaments come around, but the Sweet 16 and then the Final Four are so exciting.  I missed that this year.

Government officials have told us that our response to the coronavirus should be to avoid social contact as much as possible.  We have had to cancel or postpone events that we wanted to be a part of.  One of these is Easter.  We'll be live streaming our Easter worship time instead of gathering together and repeating to each other those powerful and familiar words:  "Christ is risen.  He is risen, indeed."  

A few Easters ago I was in the Pomperaug High School cafeteria,  preparing for our worship service.  I must have looked a little disheveled and may have inadvertently had my pant leg tucked into my sock.  One of the men in the church jokingly challenged me saying, "Jim, get it together.  This is the Super Bowl."  We laughed, but I thought about it.  Easter Sunday is the Super Bowl for churches.   It's our big day when we gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead and the hope that gives us.  Unlike the Super Bowl, we celebrate that the victory has already been won. 

So even though we won't be able to meet together this year for our Easter celebration.  The Super Bowl is not cancelled.  Because Christ rose from the dead victoriously, and whether we are together or staying home, we are rejoicing in the same truth  - "Christ is risen.  He is risen, indeed."  

Acts 2:24 tells us that  "God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."  What a great thought.  It was impossible for death to hold onto Jesus.  He is the author of life.  So we say with Paul
"Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
 “Where, O death, is your victory?   Where, O death, is your sting?
  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

I love the old hymn "He Lives" .  There are some great lyrics in that song  but also some impossible notes.  As you sing the verse, you think these notes are easy enough, but then you get to the chorus and you've got to stand on your tip toes and screech like a sea gull to hit a couple of those notes.   You don't have to sing it to appreciate these great lyrics that remind us  that our Savior is with us.

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him,  He’s always near.

He lives.  He lives.  Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me  along life’s narrow way. 
He lives.  He lives.  Salvation to impart.
You ask me how I know He lives.  He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me I see His loving care.
And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair
I know that He is leading through all the stormy blasts.
The day of His appearing will come at last.

Rejoice, rejoice O Christian, lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal Hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind.

May God bless you all and may you sense His living presence with you as you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.