I lived in Israel when I was in the eighth grade. Much to my delight, school let out for two weeks in April for Easter and Passover.
At first, I was excited about a long break. But then I realized why it was so long. For most of my life, Easter had been celebrated on one day of the year — usually a Sunday in April. But for most of Christianity, Easter lasts about a week (if you don’t count Lent). And Passover lasts about the same amount of time.
I made a lot of good memories during those two weeks, vacationing to the Sea of Galilee and the Red Sea. But my strongest memory came when I visited the Old City. I had been there many times before, but this time was different. Thousands of people from virtually every branch of western and eastern Christianity descended upon the city.
Thousands of Jews did likewise, celebrating Passover. People of virtually every background and faith were chanting, cheering, crying and praising. Young and old. Friend or foe. The city was filled with vibrant, chaotic and beautiful sights, smells and sounds.
Although the celebrations focused on different traditions and stories, the theme was similar: deliverance. Deliverance by a God who said long ago: “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgment. And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God” (Exodus 6:6-7).
Easter has never been the same for me. Every year I take time to reflect on the Old City and the many religions it hosts and the thousands of people joining together in celebration. The beauty of God’s people coming together with faces pointed heavenward, looking to him for deliverance.
Scott Brown practices lending, health care and religious institutions law with Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP in Phoenix.