Happy Easter!

It’s time to celebrate, so let’s put on our bright colors and praise the Lord, shall we?

The salvation offered through Jesus is especially powerful today as we celebrate Easter. I am thankful for a “God that so loved us that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And that God’s incredible mercy has given us hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). The idea that the chains of sin are broken and that death no longer has a hold is a great comfort.

This is especially encouraging for me this Easter because it also happens to be the anniversary of my dad’s passing (six years ago). There are times it feels like just yesterday. I continue to be surprised at the clarity of feelings and memories that can pop up, especially on an anniversary. My dad passed away on a “Good Friday” and if I am being honest, I have had some difficulty pulling away from that somberness. Grief can have a strong hold until we allow ourselves to follow the story all the way through.

Jesus is the “resurrection and the life”. “Whoever lives by believing in him will never die.” Death isn’t the end of the story. There is Good Friday but then after that there is Easter Sunday. Jesus isn’t dead. He is alive. He is risen and is at the right hand of God. This was the plan all along and he did it for you and me. His sacrifice for our salvation deserves rejoicing and celebration.

Thank you for Jesus that gives us hope for a future in heaven. A hope that includes seeing my dad again someday. My dad would smile and say something like "Hey, Kiddo!". I can give him a hug. It will probably feel like a combination of yesterday and eternity. Won't that be cool.

How easy was it for you to make the transition from the somberness of Good Friday to the celebration of Easter Sunday this year?

Have you ever lost a loved one and had difficulty transitioning out of the grief to get to the hope in Jesus?

What does Easter mean to you? Can you name any of your feelings associated with it?

Scripture

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11: 25-26