Daily Devotions: Rapanui or Easter Island

I’ve never been to Easter Island (or Rapanui as it is natively known), but like many people, I’m fascinated by the large stone faces that are found there. I think that they must be remarkable to look at, to touch and stand beside. The people who made them must have felt a similar awe as they were being created, erected, and worshipped.

I’ve watched documentaries about the stone faces and from what the archaeologists have pieced together, the history of the islanders appears to be tragic. The island isolated from the mainland by thousands of miles, so the original Rapanui settlers must have landed there by accident. At first there was enough food, water, and shelter to help them survive for generations. But then, because of the rising population, the island became depleted of valuable resources. It was during this time that the stone faces were built, probably because the islanders needed divine help to survive.

Eventually, all that was left on the island were the stone faces. Most of the islanders had either left to find a new place to live or they perished at sea. Very little of them remained on the island. It’s a sad story and a great mystery. All that we have left of the people are their idols and rock drawings. No matter how big, how wonderful, or how awesome they made their idols, their false gods could not help the islanders. All that work and worship did them no good.

In 1722, on Easter, the island was rediscovered by a Dutchman called Jacob Roggeveen. The island population which had numbered more than fifteen thousand was reduced to only a couple of hundred. But the rediscovery brought a new hope and new connections for the people. Today, over 2500 Rapanui people inhabit the island, making a sustainable living from the tourist industry.

It seems that ‘Easter’ was a favorable name to give to the island, for the once isolated people have experienced a resurrection of hope for their community. Idol worship has been replaced by Christianity, and missionaries have planted churches where the people can now serve the One, True and Living God.

Jeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say,” Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.

We all can make worthless idols in our lives. If we get obsessed with money or the markets, possessions or positions, pride or ambition, we create esteemed images of ourselves that are false and finite. No man is an island, but we can isolate ourselves from God if we separate our hearts from Him. The biblical injunctions of not creating idols for ourselves are just as relevant in today’s distracting world as they were thousands of years ago. By placing our lives in Christ’s hands and giving our hearts to Him, we avoid such foolish ideals and false idols.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, enable us to keep You in our hearts and to focus upon Your Kingdom. Free us from the false gods of luxury and power, ambition and greed. Help us to follow Your words and ways, so that we can remain faithful and loyal to You throughout our lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.