Easter is my favorite holiday.
The first Easter was a
game-changer between the world as it was and the world ever since - this Jesus-dying-and
rising-from-the-dead-event that makes our good living and happy dying possible.
I admit the cross and its
meaning are complex. How to understand this mysterious exchange of penalty? I certainly
know I deserve to be accountable for my less than desirable behaviors. Socrates
spoke of an innate longing for virtue within each of us - an awareness of
falling short. I know I do, did and continue to be less virtuous than I’d like to
be. I don’t want to carry this guilt I richly deserve. Jesus paying it off is a
huge blessing to me.
Jesus counted the personal cost,
accepted the anguish and took the punishment for us all. Amazingly now we can
ask for and confidently receive forgiveness for sin and shortcomings. The world
without Easter could easily be dark and full of despair.
No wonder we dance and
celebrate. Death has no power – we’re
life-dwellers forever.
Jesus literally rose from
death. We can know we won’t stay dead either. We have reason to jump and leap -
maybe that’s where the image of Easter bunnies comes from.
We’re filled with inner
richness – maybe that’s why eggs are significant. We’ll be coloring ours
Saturday night.
We can live delicious lives
loving God and loving our neighbor - ah,
there’s the reason for chocolate.
How fitting we celebrate Easter
in spring, because it’s truly new life day.
May your Easter be spectacular
in every way!
Happy, blessed, joyous Easter.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only
Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
