You may remember the 1969 song “Is that All there Is?” sung by Peggy Lee. The chorus read,
Is that all there is? Is that all there is?
If that’s all there is my friends, then let’s keep dancing
Let’s break out the booze and have a ball
If that’s all there is . . .
Besides wanting to slit your wrist after listening to it, the song begged an existential question that is answered by the resurrection of Jesus. On Friday, as Jesus hung on the cross, life for the disciples couldn’t have looked worse. Their mentor and friend was tortured and killed. They were on the run, fearing their own death. On Friday, they didn’t know that on Sunday they would be singing different lyrics. Friday wasn’t the final verse of the marvelous song.
Paul wrote, “And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” (1 Cor. 5:19, NLT) This faithful follower of Jesus who was persecuted for his faith concluded, “If that is all there is, we might as eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Cor. 5:32b)
You’ve probably heard the story about a family handing out spoons at the funeral of a loved one. This deceased loved dessert, particularly Bluebell Homemade Vanilla ice cream. As was the tradition in their family, dessert came at the end of the meal. The life celebration concluded with this encouragement, “The best is yet to come.” Easter reminds us that death is the beginning to a new verse.
As you celebrate Easter, may you experience the presence of Christ and the hope of the Resurrection.
