Driving to church today I was reminiscing about Easter’s past. As a kid we looked forward to the Easter bunny coming and leaving us a basket. It wasn’t quite as exciting as Santa–but a close second. Our Easter bunny would hide eggs in tricky places…either jelly beans or malt ball eggs on little squares of paper towels. As we got older, he got trickier and hid the eggs in places where they blended with the surroundings. That silly bunny!

We would dress in our finest for church, complete with hats, gloves and shiny patent leather shoes. My grandmother would even make us a corsage, usually with a single orchid. I think I might revisit that tradition in her memory. Next year. And then, of course, we always had a big family dinner. Ham was usually the main course and it was required that coconut would show up in a desert. This was followed by the men heading to the family/living room for a nap and the ladies cleaning up.

I did not go to be with my extended family this weekend because I wanted to sing in our Worship Team at church. As it turned out, I had a sinus infection anyway and would not have wanted to travel. What a blessing the service was today. There was much singing, much Scripture reading and a gospel centered message by our pastor that tied it all up. I would have to say that this Easter was probably the most joyful one I’ve ever experienced. The emphasis on the resurrection and what that means for me overwhelm me more than ever. I can think of two reasons though I’m sure there are many more.

First, it’s been a really difficult year. There have been significant endings but also new beginnings. Easter reminds us of new life, not just for eternity for those in Christ but also for the here and now. As hard as this year has been, Jesus is still my Savior and He is still alive. This morning we sang “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher. Part of the chorus is:

Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, He’s alive! He’s alive!

That is powerful my friends!

The other reason I think this Easter was so meaningful is because I spent the Lent season reading an awesome devotional called Journey to the Cross. This devotional led me through the Lent season with a week each focused on: Repentance, Humility, Lament, Suffering, Sacrifice, and Death. Next year I am going to share this devotional with everyone I know.

I will close with these verses from 1 Corinthians 15:54b-58:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

And as Chris Maher wrapped it up…..He’s Alive!  Amen!