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What I Found Out About Easter

If you’re anything like me, the whole Easter thing didn’t even click until you were an adult.

I recall “Easter” baskets, candy, coloring dozens of eggs, and hunting for them. I also recall the annual trip to Penticton, British Columbia, for a picnic and some go-cart racing — on Easter Sunday

Then, one unsuspecting (to me) Easter Sunday, it hit me that Easter is really all about Jesus, and forgiveness of our sins. Our slate is wiped clean!

How is that, exactly?

The Bible tells us that Jesus, God’s promised Messiah, lived a sinless life and died in our place, because He loved us.

He suffered the punishment for all of the sins of everyone. The death of Jesus paid for all sins. Yours, and mine, too.

The crucified Christ died, was buried, and rose from His grave ALIVE! Jesus rose from the dead!

You need to know that. It’s a very big deal!

God the Father accepted the death of His sinless Son as payment in full for all sin, and Jesus’ resurrection is proof of that.

In the 40 days after He rose, He appeared to many people, and even ate breakfast on the beach with His disciples.

A Long Time Ago…

When I was in the 3rd grade, my mother made the decision that our family would become Lutherans.

At some point years after that, I became a pain in the neck, and decided that it wasn’t MY choice, so I dropped out.

Eventually, thanks to a Louisiana woman named Bernice, my husband, Lance, and I decided the Lutheran church was indeed the one for us! (Long story…)

Come to find out, Lutherans are sort of known for singing. We sing Hymns, responsive Psalms, and Liturgies for all seasons and reasons – even for the different times of day.

For example, in preparation for the season of Lent, our congregation even used to sing a “Farewell to the Alleluia.”

Though it was a temporary farewell, it set the tone for the rest of the season. Purposely extracting the “Alleluias” from our songs is noticeable, and almost painful, because we love to sing to the Lord!

On Easter morning we are welcomed by our pastor, “He is risen!”

We can’t wait to respond, “He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!”

 Then… as if the organist is on her very tippiest of toes, she plays (and we sing!), “Jesus Christ is Risen today! Alleluia!”

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

Empty tomb at Sunrise - HE IS RISEN!

Peace Be With You!

What is it that brings me such joy and peace, amid the crowded church, while I’m sitting by myself on the back pew? (While Lance is on ushering duty, and our son, Simon is running the PowerPoint.) Why do I even bother with singing out, in all the chaos and the hubbub?

Real joy from real forgiveness — and, it’s the peace, my friend!

The peace that passes all human understanding.

I KNOW that my Redeemer lives!

I know that I am forgiven of my sin, that I am free of Satan, and that I will spend eternity in heaven with Jesus, my risen Lord, my Savior, and my King!

This side of heaven, it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Next year, I hope to see YOU there!


Anna

Jumping for JOY at Sunrise

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