Easter’s glory isn’t found in the candied eggs, but in the love Jesus had for all people

Happy Resurrection Day!

As we celebrate one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar, I do so with a heart filled with gratitude. I am thankful to be a believer of Jesus Christ, to know in my heart that He was born out of the love of our Heavenly Father.

And that when He was crucified, He bore the pain and suffering for the entire world.

By faith, I see Him on that glorious morning, over 2,000 years ago, as He rose triumphantly from his borrowed tomb. Today, I believe with all my heart, that He lives! And that He is sitting at the right hand of our heavenly Father, waiting for the signal to come to Earth again, this time for his Bride, the Church, which is made up of all who believe in Him.

Just thinking about it makes my heart sing!

Tarnishing of Easter

Today, however, this glorious day has been tarnished and commercialized so much so, that the story of Jesus’ resurrection has become second place to the story of the Easter bunny carrying a basket filled with goodies. Sadly, Easter Sunday is synonymous with the Easter egg hunt.

I believe we need to go back to the days when we saw Resurrection Day as symbolic of new beginnings. We must keep alive the history of Jesus sleeping in that cold damp tomb for two nights, and on the morning of the third day, He came forth in a new body, His eternal body. This gives us hope.

On this life’s journey, there will be rivers to forge, low valleys to walk and high mountains to climb. There will be times of defeat and times of disappointment. But if we can just hold on, joy comes with the dawn when we can start all over again. That’s hope. And that’s what Easter means to me.

It isn’t ironic that Jesus was hailed as the king of kings one day (Palm Sunday) and a few days later he was betrayed. During that first Holy Week, He was arrested, unjustly tried, humiliated, beaten unmercifully and lastly, crucified between two thieves. It was for a purpose. Yet, when I think about the horrific way Jesus was treated, my heart bleeds.

Then I remember that it was for this reason He was born. I remember that His crucifixion was done for the salvation of the world. And I understand the significance of the “Gift” that was Jesus.

I understand that our Heavenly Father gave us His only begotten Son. He did it because of He loved us. My heart leaps for joy at the very thought.

So, while many people blame the Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus, and use this as a basis for their antisemitism, true believers know better. Those who use this as an excuse to hate Jews tend to forget that Jesus, in His earthly body, was a Jew, and therefore loved them.

It was meant to be, that Jesus was rejected by His own. Yet while he hung dying on the cross, He loved his people so much that among His dying words was this request: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

These words uttered from our dying Savior’s lips tell me that we are not to blame anyone for Jesus’ death. The Jews were just a pawn in God’s plan of salvation. It was meant to be that way. Jesus was born to become a living sacrifice for us all. His dying, and the way he died, were all part of God’s plan of salvation for us all — Jews included.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16/King James Bible

His message is so relevant today

Yet, as I look back on the events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion, I see them as symbolic of what is happening in the world today. I am reminded how we sometimes put people on a pedestal, only to slap them down at the first opportunity.

During His life here on Earth, Jesus showed us, by example, how to handle such situations. He wasn’t puffed up. He didn’t hold grudges. He was forgiving and He had a humble Spirit. So much so, many took His meekness for weakness.

It is the same today. If you chose to walk humbly with the Lord, you won’t always be understood. Or even liked. Some people will scorn you when you take the high road of integrity and honor, rather than the low road of spitefulness and dishonor.

And not everyone will understand when you take a stand for your faith and the Lord, or when the majority is going the opposite way and you won’t join them in their folly.

Just as Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion are symbolic of what believers must endure in this world, nothing can be compared to the glory that awaits his followers when Jesus comes to Earth again. Jesus knew, as He lay in a cold, dark tomb, that the dawn of Resurrection Day was waiting, and that He would come forth in a ray of glowing light.

Jesus’ resurrection brought hope for all who choose to live a life of trying to imitate Him -—by being loving and forgiving, compassionate and long suffering. And yet, we are so often misunderstood.

As true believers, we don’t uphold those who are doing wrong. Instead, we call them out. And like the crowd taunting Jesus on His way to Calvary, as His followers, we are often taunted and hated on, simply because we believe and want to be more like Him.

Yet, on this Resurrection Day of 2024, I am happy to report: To me, it is well worth it, to be called a follower of Jesus.