Happy Easter to all of my friends who celebrate! This is the day we remember that Christ Is Risen! He defeated death and rose from the grave on that third day.
I have often thought of what that must have been like: to witness the death of the man you had been following. I also can totally understand why Peter could have denied knowing Christ three times. Think about how chaotic things must have been on that Good Friday. Pilate saw no reason to put Jesus to death but the crowd insisted! How would Peter, or any of us, know that we too wouldn’t be put to death?
Then think about Saturday: Jesus died on that cross and was now buried in a tomb. Now what? Of course, he did say he would be back…but would you believe it? Everything you have experienced over the past few months has come to a dramatic end. Where do you go now?
“Jesus said he would return.”
“You believe that? When has THAT ever happened before?”
I can’t imagine how dark and depressing that day must have been.
Of course, we all know how that story ended. On the third day, the women went to the tomb and found it empty. They discovered an angel who told them Jesus had risen. As they went to tell the disciples, Jesus met them and showed them where the nails had pierced his hands.
I have always liked Easter. That’s the greatest story ever told and you know how I like a good story.
As I’ve gotten older I find myself trying to understand God more. I don’t know if it’s a yearning to know what’s next or that I have more time to ponder now that I’m not running around to scouts, ball or school concerts.
Even if you’re not religious I think Easter is a wonderful time of year because it brings rebirth. While it’s still a bit chilly at times here in the northeast, the daffodils are blooming and the cherry trees are waking up. It won’t be long before we see baby ducks and other little animals making their debut in our world.
Why did we start associating a bunny with Easter? Well that’s still a bit of a mystery but according to Time.com the bunny is a symbol of fertility (Birth). As for eggs, the story says:
Hundreds of years ago, churches had their congregations abstain from eggs during Lent, allowing them to be consumed again on Easter.
Okay but jelly beans? Peeps?
Oh and spoiler alert 🚨: Bunnies don’t lay eggs. Sorry. Felt I needed to tell ya.
One thing Easter has always meant to me is…hope! After Christ was crucified and laid in a tomb, he rose! After the terrible grief and depression that, I assume, the disciples felt on that day before Easter, there was hope!
I think for us too that no matter what we’re going through, this too shall pass. And, just looking around at the early flowers and trees, there is also hope for spring and summer.
So Happy Easter my friend! Happy Passover to my Jewish friends! And Happy Spring to us all!
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