Happy Easter!
“Happy Easter” is what we wish each other at this time of the year. We give each other chocolate bunnies and colorful eggs. What do Good Friday and Easter tell us, other than that they are public holidays? What are we actually celebrating?
I tried to imagine the point of view of the women, who were close to Jesus. They travel with him, experience Jesus, discuss with him, eat and drink with him. They hear his words and see his way of dealing with different situations. They are amazed at how he respects people, especially women. They do not experience that otherwise! They know Jesus and believe in him as the Messiah, the Son of God.
With time they observe how the religious Jewish leaders turn more and more against Jesus. The atmosphere in Jerusalem becomes increasingly tense and in addition Jesus repeatedly provokes the Pharisees. I think the women fear for him and wonder what will happen next, even though Jesus doesn’t seem to be afraid. Then Jesus is actually arrested. They stay around, although it breaks their hearts when they see Jesus being beaten, mocked and tortured.
He is nailed to the cross and mocked even there! Jesus dies, it becomes dark and the earth shakes. The women are in anguish – their whole world is shaken to the core. They wonder if they have fallen for an impostor, but know in their hearts that this cannot be! His life and work with all the miracles couldn’t be fake.
They turn to practical matters: The corpse had to be embalmed. And so they prepare the ointments on the 3rd day and go to the grave. But his body isn’t in the tomb! More questions! Then an angel appears and tells them that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that they will see him again. They are deeply frightened and at the same time indescribably happy!
They do indeed see him again, and over the next few weeks he explains to his friends the Scriptures and how the prophets spoke of him hundreds of years ago. And he informs his disciples that they will receive the Holy Spirit and tell the whole world about him.
He says to them:
“…And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:20b
They understand: He is with us even when He ascends to heaven. Hallelujah! What a roller coaster ride of emotions!!!
I can guarantee this truth: Those who listen to what I say and believe in the one who sent me will have eternal life. They won’t be judged because they have already passed from death to life. John 5:24
This means that if we believe in Jesus all our sins are forgiven and that we will have eternal life in heaven after we die. On Good Friday we mourn about Jesus, who suffered incredibly for us. And on Easter we celebrate his resurrection from the dead. Because of this, the Bible promises us eternal life!
The whole story of Jesus’ death and resurrection tells of his amazing love for you and me. Isn’t that a reason to celebrate?
Happy Easter – Christ is risen!
