Why Do I Celebrate Easter?

The question was asked this week, “Why do you celebrate Easter?”  The answer was to be given in one sentence.   My short answer?  Because Jesus rose from the dead, giving life and salvation to all who believe. 

But what does that mean? Especially today.  Today, when everything we thought was under our control has been turned upside down by an enemy we cannot see.  Today, when we’re realizing we really haven’t had control over much in our lives but were deceived into believing we did.

This morning my dad was admitted to the hospital with some serious health issues that, at this time, do NOT appear to be Coronavirus related.  My siblings and I pray for our dad daily and have been in regular contact as he and his wife have been in lockdown in an assisted living facility 1 ½ hours from my home.  We’ve fallen into a pattern of checking in via text, phone calls or facetime.  We send groceries through a grocery service.  We communicate with their caregivers to stay on top of their care and their issues.  I started feeling comfortable that we were doing well controlling what was happening in their confined world.  But an unseen enemy had infiltrated, showing the amount of control we had, and it wasn’t much.  

But God…

But God is in control and was already working on Dad’s behalf.  Through our prayers for wisdom, guidance and protection Dad had prearranged for an extra caregiver to come in to help our stepmom this weekend, since he was feeling weak while fighting infection.  Through our prayers for healing the nursing staff at the facility insisted, over Dad’s objections, on additional medical care.  His midnight trip to the ED has provided that care. 

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know that the One who holds the future has overcome the unseen enemy of our souls.  When Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter Sunday, He defeated death, the ultimate enemy.  He died and rose from the grave so that we, too, could have life when we believe in Him. As it says in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He told his followers, “I have told you these things so that in Me you would have peace.  In this world you will have trouble (distresses, tribulation), but take heart!  I have overcome the world!” John 16:33

When my mom was battling cancer, I was so blessed to celebrate her last Easter with her.   As we worshiped together that Easter Sunday we cried joyfully as we sang these words:

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,  Because He lives all fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future  And life is worth the living, Just because He lives.” (William J. and Gloria Gaither) 

And those words are also my longer answer to the question  “why do I celebrate Easter”.  

What is your answer?  

HE IS RISEN!!!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!

God bring Your peace, power and purpose into all of these things we are facing today.  Thank you for taking what the enemy meant for evil and turning it for good for all those who love You. Thank you for giving Your life and rising from the dead so we, too, can live in You!

Please contact me if you’d like to discuss any of this in greater detail, or if I can pray for you in any way.  

Go to https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/english.html  if you want to learn more about Jesus.