Happy Easter — He is risen

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Easter or Resurrection Sunday in a time we celebrate God’s sacrifice for us. The week leading up to Easter Sunday we call Holy Week. The Lord came into Jerusalem on what we know as Palm Sunday where the crowds flocked to Him, putting palm leaves in the road to show recognition of a coming king. The crowd shouted “Hosanna” but would soon shout “Crucify Him … Crucify Him!” (Matthew 21:9). After the Passover Supper He was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane and “all the disciples deserted Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).

After His rial and condemnation He is led to Calvary and crucified between two thieves. As the weight of our sins and shame fell upon Him we hear Him cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34). Forsaken by disciples in this desperate and lonely hour, when God the Father, turned away from His Son the Sin Bearer for mankind — Jesus endured the lonely isolation, the suffering and judgment of God for us.

His last words on the cross were, “It is finished,” (John 19:30). He means the work of His sacrifice is complete and that God the Father had accepted His work of redemption for the penalty of our sins. Jesus’ death in our place is the reason God can forgive us still. While this is wonderful news, it is only a prelude to early Sunday morning when Jesus is resurrected from the dead. Angels at His tomb announce to the women who had come, “He is not here, He is risen!” (Luke 24:6). His resurrection is a guarantee that we will also be raised, if we are believers and followers of Christ.

Easter is a wonderful time to joy and gladness for those of us who know Jesus as Savior. But to those who have rejected Him and are without this “knowledge of God’s glory” (2 Corinthians 4:6), there is no hope, nothing to rejoice over.

Jesus left us with the certainty and great hope that He is coming again to take us to heaven with Him, where there will be no more sorrow, pain, troubles or death for those who have believed and followed Him.

As Christians, our job is to tell others around us the “Good News” of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. I pray you will be filled with great joy, peace and hope because “He is Risen.” Happy East-er.