Why are we not dancing?

A lot of my posts on here are going to be about interesting thoughts that were brought up because of Shane Claiborne's book that I just finished reading. At the end of one of the last chapters Shane writes:

"Joy and celebration don't usually mark progressive social justice circles, or conservative Christian circles, for that matter. But the Jesus movement is a revolution that dances. Celebration is at the very core of our kingdom, and hopefully that celebration will make its way into the darkest corners of our world--the ghettos and refugee camps, and the palaces and prisons. May the whispers of hope reach the ears of hope-hungry people in the shadows of our world."

So my question is: "Why are we not dancing?

Why are we remembering the suffering of the cross, but not the victory of the resurrection?

This passage that Shane writes in his book, is very true about Christianity. This truth should be evident to us all year long, but especially during this time of year, this Holy week. However, I am reminded more and more as I walk around my campus and run into Christians, including myself, that we don't seem to take to heart the truth that Jesus is Alive and that he has won the battle against sin. This is evidenced in Matthew 28 where it says:

12And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." 8So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (ESV)

When we don't take to heart the fact that Jesus is Alive, then we forget the celebration and joy that comes with Easter. We tend to focus on the cross and not on the empty tomb. We tend to remember Friday, but we don't remember Sunday. When we focus on the cross, and understand that it was our sin that put Him there then we start to feel depressed and guilty because we did that to Him. When we focus on Sunday we realize that no matter how bad we are or could ever be Jesus still covered our sins when he died and rose again; and we realize that even the most horrible form of torture we could think up couldn't hold Him.

When we look at it from the perspective of Sunday. Easter is a time of celebration, not a time for mourning. Christ has defeated death, and believe it or not HE IS ALIVE!! Not only is He alive, but he is at work in our lives everyday. So lets live like we are focused on Sunday. Live like we are celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.