"E" . . . IS FOR EASTER!

Bunnies and chocolate eggs aside, Easter is the most important event in Christianity and in the history of the world.  Folks love their Easter egg hunts for the children, giving of Easter baskets with all sorts of goodies, and waiting for the Easter bunny.  I want to state the obvious:  as a Christian, Easter is definitely not about ANY of those things.  It is a celebration of our Lord's Resurrection from the tomb . . . He arose on the third day, and lives forevermore!

Christmas is also a milestone in history for the Christian,  the day we celebrate our Lord's birth.  Of course, there would be no Easter celebration if there had been no Christmas.  In my mind, that Star that shone over Bethlehem is irrevocably linked to the Cross of Calvary.  Christ alone of all mankind conquered death and the grave.  He chose to die on that cross for all  who accept Him as their Savior, suffering a terrible death in MY place. 

Therefore, as Easter approaches, with spring putting forth its beautiful bounty of lilies, roses, daffodils, irises, cherry blossoms, and many other beautiful examples of God's creation, I often think about how glorious that first Easter morning must have been, especially when it was discovered that He was no longer in that grave--and then He later appeared to some of His disciples! 

The record of this event is detailed fully in the Gospels, but the most meaningful scriptures to me are in Matthew 28:1-10: 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the bomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him.'  Now I have told you." 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  Suddenly Jesus met them.  "Greetings," he said.  they came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.  Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Oh, how wonderful it must have been to see Jesus after His resurrection.  He fulfilled the prophecy, and they were eyewitnesses to it.    

I am so thankful for His blessed sacrifice for me and this world of other unworthy sinners.  In light of that, everything else on this earth pales in comparison!  Nothing else is important enough to worry over.  As undeserving as I am, I have eternal life when I leave this world.  Not because of myself or anything I have accomplished, but because of His sacrifice:  "For God so loved the world that He gave one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16-17

Easter is about the Resurrection, the historical event that eclipses anything else that has ever occurred.  It is far more than a pretty basket, a new outfit, or chocolate eggs.  It is the cornerstone to eternity.