An Incomplete Easter Story

Holding the gun, aimed at the perpetrator, William knew he needed to make a decision. He had never aimed at a real person before, but he knew he was an accurate shot. Would he be charged or exonerated? What would happen to his family if he didn’t shoot? If he did shoot? Suddenly his target’s hand moved quickly and William felt his hand tighten on the gun. His eyes closed as he heard a . . .

My cousin had taken me and my sister to his secret spot in the basement to enjoy a bottle of Orange Crush, even though our mothers had said it would spoil our dinner. Just as I was about to enjoy a taste of carbonated citrusy goodness, the basement door opened, and we heard someone coming down the stairs. Not being as wise as my cousin and sister who hid their bottles behind them, I went ahead and took a drink. The orange contraband was in my hand and pressed to my lips when . . .

During the night, we were awakened by an unusual noise. We sat up in bed and listened as the floor squeaked and groaned under the weight of footsteps coming down the hall . . .

Are you frustrated yet? Sometimes, a cliffhanger is an effective way to stop telling a story, but often, the audience feels frustrated, ready to explode, wondering what happened.

Within the last ten years or so, I have come to realize that the Easter story is one of those incomplete stories, a type of cliffhanger. God is leaving the ending to us; our lives become the ending to His story.

This fact became obvious to me during my Honors English 10 class. We had encountered a Biblical allusion to the Garden of Gethsemane in chapter 9 of To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.

During the school year, Honors English 10 students were asked to go beyond simply identifying an allusion but to analyze the allusion: explain how that allusion enriched the author’s message. They uncovered the connection between the actual event and the target text, resulting in a deeper understanding of both texts. Both sources became richer because of that significant connection. The same is true for us. Once we see the connection, the Bible and our lives become more profound, richer.

The reference that caused the most discussion was “let this cup pass from me” used in To Kill a Mockingbird. Usually, my students versed in the Bible took turns volunteering to tell the backstory for the allusions. However, for this reference, my usual helpers were struggling to explain what it meant in the Scripture, let alone its connection to Harper Lee’s story. So, like many teachers who watch the clock, knowing a bell dictates their time, I explained the purpose of Christ descending to live among us. In telling the story of His ministry and fulfillment of prophecy, I mentioned how He promised He would return in three days after being crucified on a cross.

I then continued to explain that Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him: torture, mockery, and the process of dying. For some of my students, my retelling was the first time they had ever heard this aspect of Christianity, so I felt I needed to explain why Jesus was sent to die in this way.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus briefly asked God to remove for Him, if it be His Father’s will. The cup was not removed, and my Savior fulfilled His mission because of His love for the Father and for us.

When I finished the story, I asked for someone to reiterate the connection between the book quote and the Bible story I had just told. After allowing a few minutes for students to write the connection in their notes, I then stated we needed to move on to the next activity. What happened next will always be part of striking memory when Easter Sunday approaches.

A hand went up in the back of the room. I called the student’s name and waited for his question.

“You didn’t finish the story. Did he come back from the dead in three days?”

Yes! Yes, He came back! He defeated the chains of death. He was victorious! That’s the reason for our celebration!

For me and many others, the story does not end with the Resurrection. It lives within me each day. His resurrection makes it possible for my heart to pursue God’s heart. The Resurrection impacts my life, my decisions, the way I treat others, deal with conflict, study the Bible, view my world.

What I do with His suffering, His sacrifice, and His power

over death and the grave is the completion of the story.