He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.
Matthew 28:6
In 2020, Easter Sunday is another day in weeks of quarantine, social distancing and anxiety over a new plague that has governments world-wide shutting down. But, Jesus is still alive. He’s still on the throne.
For many, Easter holds a host of traditions. Maybe there are egg hunts for the kids and ham dinners for everyone. Perhaps it’s a time family gathers at the same church service, even if they normally attend different churches.
For New Hope, we planned to take Communion. What a wonderful tradition this is! After all, the first Lord’s Supper was ordained right before the very first Easter…the original Resurrection Day.
Easter is the penultimate of Christian holidays because it celebrates the power of Jesus Christ. He defeated death. He went to Hell and set its captives free.
That is a reason to rejoice when the threat of death looms everywhere. Even though we might not get to celebrate it the way we traditionally have. Or even the way we want to.
Why is Easter a reason to rejoice?
His Resurrection Means Our Resurrection
Jesus conquered death. Because he rose, we too will rise again.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
He Makes Believers Alive
Spring is a time of rebirth. It’s the perfect picture of salvation’s work.
What do I mean? Seeds and bulbs are dormant in the ground. They have “life” waiting inside them, but until they get the sun and water and warm temperatures, they remain in stasis.
We are the same. Our spirit is DEAD before we accept Christ’s gift of salvation.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:1
Jesus is the only one who can bring us to life. His resurrection proves this, and Easter should remind us to be grateful for our salvation.
He Keeps His Promises
Right now, we’re stuck in our homes. We can’t even head to the church house for Sunday services. Not if we want to be a good citizen who honors the temporary law of the land.
But Jesus has no restrictions on his ability to keep promises to us.
God told Adam and Eve way back in the beginning of time that their disobedience required a death sentence. Yes, they would die physically. But He promised that they could live spiritually, and He would provide a way.
That way is through the perfect sacrifice. The one Jesus Christ made on a Roman cross two thousand years ago. A promise that was thousands of years in the making and kept in one decisive moment.
Easter reminds us that God is a promise keeper.
Wherever you might be celebrating this holiday-and especially if it doesn’t feel like you’re celebrating at all-remember these truths. God is in charge of this. His promises are sure.
For he (Jesus Christ) must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:25-26
Rejoice in the hope Jesus Christ brings through conquering death, hell and the grave.
A Pew Perspective 