How close is still not close enough? Is it possible to wrap yourself in the trappings of Easter yet miss it completely? The answer lies in the original Easter event. Take time to read about the last hours of the life of Jesus to see how many were close but not close enough. Tomorrow morning, churches will fill with people dressed in new clothes yet who live old lives. Children will scurry across yards to hunt for the elusive egg. Families will gather to dine on meals that took more planning than it will time to eat. Sermons will be delivered to crowds not to be seen for another year. Just like those original characters in the gospels, we are reminded that being close is not close enough.

Think of Simon Peter that fearless disciple who has the courage to slice off an ear at Jesus arrest but lacks the heart to admit his loyalty. Simon Peter bragged of how he would never deny Jesus. The downfall begins in the statement that "Peter followed at a distance" after the arrest. No doubt Peter could see what was going on in the trial of his Master but he remains too far removed in heart. Three times the opportunity arises for him to defend his honor and three times he falls miserably short. It is then he hears a rooster crowing. To the rooster it was normal to announce the arrival of a new day. To Peter it is the most awful sound he could hear. Mark's gospel says, "when Peter thought about it, he wept." He was so close, but not close enough.

There are soldiers who are close to Jesus in His last hours. They hear each word uttered by the Messiah. They carry the weapons of torture. The wager their meager income on His clothing. Only one sees the truth of the moment. Only one soldier is recorded as knowing Jesus IS the Son of God. Max Lucado states these soldiers were "close to the cross but far from Jesus." How unreal that so many can see the composure of Jesus yet not have a clue of the reality of His claims. They are so busy doing their job with glee that they neglect the vision of God right before them.

Some of us believe Pilate was close but not close enough. His cruelty and neurotic behavior is historically recorded. However, John records a man who is struggling with truth. Matthew tells us how Pilate's wife begs him to do nothing to harm Jesus. Some ancient historians report Pilate eventually converted to the Christian faith in his later years. All of this makes Pilate a fascinating figure to me. However at this moment he is close but not close enough for faith. His openness to Jesus, his struggles with the evidence, his own resistance to those who called for death is not near enough to give him hope in this moment. Sure it is a good thing to be curious or open to Jesus but is it really enough?

Wherever we find ourselves in the Easter story we are left with only one valid choice. We must say yes to all the story tells us. We must say yes to the One who displays the love of God in dramatic detail. We must not wander far from Him as we follow in life. We must not surround the holiday with the trappings of Easter if we do not get the truth. We must never settle for being curious or open when faith calls for a greater commitment. So...how close are you?

Bro. Trey