GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER and KHMER NEW YEAR

In Cambodia, Christians are very excited to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.  Many churches (of course, including ours) will put lots of effort, time and money into preparing Christmas programs.  Moreover, it is a good opportunity to invite friends and family to hear the ‘Good News' that Jesus is born to bring salvation and ‘JOY' to the world.  However, as long as I have stayed in Cambodia, I have rarely seen the churches paying similar attention to Good Friday or Easter.  Sometimes, some of them don't even know the date.  Last week was Easter Sunday, but there were many brothers and sisters who did not show up at church - mainly because they needed to go back to their home town/village for the Khmer New Year celebration.  I've been wondering why there is a big difference in attitude and actions.   With my limited observation, it may be due to the following issues.

The Worldly Perception

No matter where in the world, Christmas has become a commercial festival promoting a happy ambiance for people to shop and have fun.  Parts of the Christmas story can also be played up to "beautify" the hardship when Jesus was born on earth, such as the persecution, the escape, the wandering and the poverty.  In contrast, people may never want to ‘celebrate' Good Friday's suffering and death that turns joy into misery and stillness.   Easter may be a bit strange with its talk about resurrection.  Probably it is easier to use an egg to represent the preciousness of life rather than new life from death.  Especially in Cambodia, Easter is very close to Khmer New Year, so perhaps we unconsciously do not want to ‘irritate' the happy mood of the festive occasion.

The True Glory

We always feel proud of what we believe, especially when we share with non-Christians that our God is awesome, great and powerful.  Sometimes, we also compare Christianity with other religions, showing that it is the most rational and logical and full of rich wisdom.  The glory of God perhaps makes us feel superior to other people.  However, we may ignore the whole realm of God's glory.  His wondrous creation, His compassion to the human race, His incarnation, His self abasement, and His sacrifice - even to death on the cruel cross - all reveal His glory, not only by power, but also through His love and redemptive grace.  Our core belief not only relies on happiness, but also a fruitful life that is filled with both suffering and joy as we find God's will for us.  To me, the highlight of God's glory is His last statement to the people who nailed Him on the cross as He said "Father, forgive them for they don't know what they are doing". 

The Real Meaning

Seeking happiness is one of the most important needs in human nature. No one wants to suffer and bear  pain for their whole life.   I am sure that God wants us to be happy too.  However, because of sin, "... the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:20)  Our life on earth is only a transitional journey.  The birth of Jesus, His deeds, His sufferings, death, and resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, all play equally important parts in the salvation that God has prepared for us.   When we over-emphasize the excitement of happiness, we may be frustrated by our endless hardship and anxieties.

May the Holy Spirit help us to dwell in the love of Jesus in order that we can fulfill the will of God our Father.

Prayer points

1. Thank the Lord that our Adult camp had more than 60 people who participated. Even though there was some rain, they enjoyed the fellowship and learning of God's Word. Some of the participants were non-Christians, but they got along well with our church members. Moreover, a woman from Prek Thei church also came to Christ during the meeting. May God guide our churches in how to follow up with those who came.
2. Pray for my back pain - it is not serious but ‘inconvenient'
3. Pray for safe traveling for Cambodians during the Khmer New Year, as usually there are lots of traffic accidents and the death rate is high
4. Pray for the coming Youth camp (April 17-20) - there are more than 150 youth (both Christians and non-Christians) who will attend. May God move their hearts to know and love Him
5. Pray for the Wilkins' family about when they should visit Yuko's cousin who is dying of cancer in Japan. May God guide them on how to share the gospel with her and other relatives
6. Pray for my driving with God's protection and peace
7. Pray for my Khmer study that I can understand more in conversation and learn more vocabulary

I Corinthians 1:18

Davis Lam

Cambodia Mail Address: P.O Box 602, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

 New Year Idol