Guest post by Jason Kastner

Easter.

All around the world, Christians are in the midst of Holy Week.

Today is Good Friday.

If I’m really honest with myself, I haven’t paid much attention to the significance of the week as it builds steam towards the celebration that is Resurrection Sunday.

This morning I woke early and went to the hotel lobby where we are staying and saw news clips of celebrations all around the world. The question kept coming to my mind:

What have I celebrated this week?

Earlier this week, I proved once again to be “that dad” to my teenage girls. You know what I’m talking about—when you try to say or do something to be relevant when your kids are around. And they usually just groan and roll their eyes. Don’t worry, I didn’t “dab” or try and sing along to the latest Bruno Mars song. No, instead I apparently referenced the phrase “drop the mic” incorrectly.

Drop the mic.

Have you ever heard that or seen that phrase used? It’s actually not that new and had its roots in the hip-hop rap battles of the 80’s and 90’s. Essentially, when you “drop the mic” after a performance, you are claiming victory, you are declaring triumph. It’s a way of saying “it’s over and nothing you can say or do is going to change that.” Now a lot of times it is used in jest and makes light of the cocky subculture that takes it seriously. I’m trying not to be overly critical—I think my problem with it is the arrogance it conveys and the doors it shuts in communication.

It seems to me that we live in a day and age when we relish putting others in their place, having the last word, winning the argument at all cost. Unfortunately, the Church behaves this way sometimes and instead of engaging the lost in healthy conversations, we lose our opportunity to witness when we “drop the mic” and walk away.

Healthy debate is a good thing. We’ve lost the ability to disagree fundamentally and love just the same. I’m not suggesting caving on our convictions or watering down our witness.

Just realize that we can win an argument and still lose when the mic hits the ground.

My pastor, Robby Gallaty, shared his testimony last weekend and preached from 1 Corinthians 15. I love this chapter, especially this time of year. In it, Paul essentially argues for Christ resurrected. Many of the thought leaders of the time didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. Paul plays both sides of the argument out to their logical conclusion and in typical Paul fashion, hits a home run.

A Resurrected Christ!

Friends, a war has been waged for the souls of men. Pastor Robby’s story, your story, my story—they essentially mean nothing if Resurrection Sunday didn’t happen.

Can you imagine the enemy on that Friday? Gloating over Jesus’ crucified corpse. Fist bumping. Claiming victory. Declaring triumph. “Nothing you can say or do is going to change this.”

Drop the mic.

Silence.

In another one of his letters, Paul admits the obvious about our condition:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭

We are “dead men walking” to a grave of our own making.

Like it or not, that is the reality. Sucker punch. TKO. But then Paul picks the mic up off the floor and gives us good news in verses 4 and 5:

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭

Resurrection Sunday changes everything, doesn’t it? Jesus Christ robbed the grave of its finality.

Hear it again in Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15 as he picks the mic up off the ground:

“’Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:55-57‬ ‬‬

I love this verse! And up until this week, I saw it as a way to “drop the mic” on a lost and foolish world. It certainly puts the enemy in his place.

Remember friends, a war has been waged for the souls of men. And make no mistake, Victory has been secured! But victory wasn’t secured by my clever arguments or a pompous diatribe. Under inspiration, Paul spells it out in the verse above:

He gives us victory though our Lord Jesus Christ!

I’ve heard it said many times before that the best argument for Christ is a life that is changed. Paul knew that and built his ministry around a Savior that took him from a sure death to everlasting life.

Let’s pick the mic up off the ground and ask Him to give us Resurrection Power to represent Him well! 

Hope you have a blessed Easter!