About the Easter Offering The Easter offering is one of two annual offerings held in local Nazarene churches globally to fund world evangelism. The other is called the Thanksgiving offering.
The Apostle John writes in John 11 that shortly before Passover, Jesus gave his most dramatic miracle: He snatched a man from the gaping maw of death, four days after the man had died.
Jesus had resurrected other people before, but they had been gone maybe only a few hours or part of a day. This miracle was also significant because it was so public. Rather than going into a room in a private home and shutting the door to quietly whisper a person back to life, Jesus stood on a hillside in front of a growing crowd. He shouted a prayer so that all would hear. And then He called out to Lazarus, His voice echoing in the halls of death, drawing the man back to his entombed body -- a body that until this moment stank with decay.
Prior to raising Lazarus, Jesus was already walking the knife's edge with the Jewish authorities. His preaching and miracles challenged their power and role as leaders of their people. In their jealousy and fear, they constantly plotted against Him. But this -- raising a man from the dead -- this was the last straw. John writes that following this miracle, so many people believed in Jesus that the priests and authorities decided it was time to get rid of Him for good.
In a way, this miracle triggered everything that unfolded during what Christians now call Holy Week, culminating with Jesus' own rise from death on Easter. When Lazarus walked back into the daylight, this moment set into motion Jesus' betrayal, arrest, trial, torture and crucifixion.
He knew this. Even before He entered Bethany to face the accusations and devastating sorrow of Lazarus' grieving sisters, Mary and Martha, He must have known that in restoring their brother to them, He set the stage for His own death.
As believers, we often say that Jesus "took our place" in death when He yielded to the cross. Two thousand years later, it may to us seem symbolic or metaphorical. But in a very tangible way, He did take Lazarus' place. By giving life back to Lazarus, Jesus chose His own death.
Each of us has experienced death in one way or another. It might be the spiritual death of separation from Jesus Christ. It might be a terminal illness, either in ourselves or in a spouse, child or dear friend. It might be depression; the tragic loss of a relationship; the end of a dream.
Yet, all around the world, every day, Jesus is still rescuing people from death, both physically and spiritually, filling us with true life.
Marjoly experienced living death when her mother entrapped her as a prostitute in the sex industry. When she met Jesus, it was like being raised from death to life.
Simon stared at death when both his parents died before he turned 7 years old. Growing up alone in a boarding school for boys, separated from his sisters, he was so broken by the pain of loss that he swore to never have a family of his own. During a Christian youth camp when he was 17, Simon was resurrected into life in the loving arms of a new Father when he knelt at an altar and gave his life to Jesus.
Irina was living in the spiritual death of atheism. But when a Christian neighbor began speaking to her about Christ, Irina felt the first pangs of spiritual hunger. After much reading and research, Irina believed in Jesus and gave herself to Him. His life carried her through the dark days of an almost impossible pregnancy, months of hospitalization, and the miracle birth of her baby, David.
Persecuted Nazarenes in Africa cling to Jesus, whom they know is their only hope for life everlasting. They hold onto Him even as they are arrested, tortured, disowned by their families; even as some of their colleagues are beheaded because of their love for Jesus.
Jesus' vibrant, pulsing, joyful life continues racing across the planet. The Holy Spirit is not deterred by economies, political borders, culture shifts, wars or disasters. God's people need not be, either.
This Easter, we have the opportunity to celebrate the resurrection life we have been given by extending that to others. Many Nazarene churches around the world will give an Easter Offering for World Evangelism. This offering directly funds the global strategy through which missionaries, mission leaders, local pastors and lay leaders in 156 world areas share the Good News that death is defeated, that Jesus offers new life to anyone who seeks Him.
He has made the difference between death and life for each of us. How can we not share this Good News with the world?
Easter is about resurrection life. Let's give what we've been given.
Yet, all around the world, every day, Jesus is still rescuing people from death, both physically and spiritually, filling us with true life.
