It’s Easter Week and Christians around the world will be celebrating the resurrection of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Easter is a season of tremendous hope, the triumph over death and the redeeming power of love. The week is the climax of the Christian year, and celebrates the great historic and theological events of the last week of the life of Christ.
It began with Palm Sunday where Jesus enters Jerusalem, where he looks over the city and weeps for the brokenness, spiritual poverty, and self-inflicted suffering of the people.
On Good Friday, they crucify him, in one of the cruelest expressions of the evil that grips every human heart.
Tragically the fire of hatred has not abated; the mocking and bullying, the rape and murder of citizens by one another and in mass by soldiers of war.
His death forces us to confront our own shortcomings.
But it is more; it is an atonement. As the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God offered for our sins He becomes the sacrifice that buys our redemption and gives us hope for despair.
This is the answer to the troubling problem of “what is wrong with humanity.” At the cross we grieve for our sins.
Easter morning changed everything, with the Lord’s resurrection.
We can rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, draw strength and inspiration from his example, and remember that in the end, even death itself will be defeated.
This is the ultimate divine intervention.
This is not us trying to make ourselves more good than evil: as if could somehow balance the scales.
This is God, revealing his true nature of compassing and righteousness; providing a pathway of redemption and restoration.
This is the assurance that there is hope for humanity.
Because of Easter we know that God accepts us. Easter reminds us of how the light literally broke through the darkness and that the darkness will not overcome light.
Let us now live with joy for Him, in a concert of praise, moved by thanks and love rather than fear.
May you all experience the spirit of hope, renewal and love that Easter represents this holiday season.
Attend the holy services of your choice this Easter season!