What do Jesus and Easter Egg Hunts Have in Common?
Driving home from our Easter Egg Hunt Playdate this morning, I heard the song, Come to the Table for the first time.
With my 3 little men in the backseat, not all crying for once (hooray!), I was able to hear and think about the lyrics. This Holy Week, they have even a deeper meaning as I ponder what it means to truly come to the table, and what Jesus had to do in order for us to have a seat there, next to Him.
Easter is truly a calling for us to Come to the Table. The thief, the sinner, all those who have failed, all who have dreamed, who have loved and lost another….anyone, we are all invited to come to the table. It is an open invitation to ALL to come.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1
Running around like a crazy person this morning, trying to feed Ethan, keep him happy, then wake the big boys, argue about what clothes to wear and what food to eat, pack the bag, get in the car, I knew we were going to be late to the play date. I contemplated not even going. But we pressed on, and I didn’t tell the boys it was an Easter egg hunt because I knew we were probably going to miss it, but we brought their little baskets just in case.
When we got there almost an hour late, the boys with their empty baskets in hand, we indeed missed the hunt. My heart was sad for them and mad at myself for not being on time. However, the sweet, sweet hostess spread out some eggs she had held back for the boys to find. They were SO excited to have their own hunt. Last week, our verse was Ephesians 4:32 (be kind to one another) and we talked a lot about kindness in our home. Caleb, with a huge smile on his face as he ran after the eggs, said, “That was so kind of Mrs. Susie!” Yes, yes, it was, buddy. What kindness! What an invitation to come and play, to come, and find the eggs.
A child and an adult both long to be included. Doesn’t it always feel nice to get a text message, to get an invitation to a dinner party or a wedding? It is a honor to be invited. It is an honor to be included. This Easter, do you know He is inviting us to His table? He is inviting us to the best Wedding Feast of all time. Do you know Him? He is so worthy. If we seek Him, He promises we will find Him. He has His arms opened wide, ready for you to come. He has the table set and ready.
Easter Egg Hunts and Christ, what do they have in common? I know some study on the holiday of Easter will reveal that pagan traditions got mixed with Christian ones. But I also know, the look of delight on my sons’ faces as they opened an egg and found a treasure (candy) inside, is not unlike the look our faces when we behold the treasure Christ has for us in Himself. Indeed, what joy, what joy there is for those who hope in the Lord.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Matthew 13:44
I do not want to miss the Easter egg hunt. I do not want to miss finding true life this side of Heaven. Let’s not be those who are standing on the side lines waiting. Let’s not be those who stand outside the door, but never enter in to dine at the Table! We never know when our time on earth will be done. This week, especially, it is good for me to pause and remember what, or more importantly, who, am I living for?
*Edit: I did a little research on the history of Easter Egg Hunts, and apparently the egg can symbolize Christ’s tomb and the joy children have as they hunt is like the joy of the women who discovered the empty tomb.
If you want to help teach your kids the meaning of Easter, check out this post where I explain how we use Resurrection Eggs
