I’ve noticed that our church is referring to Easter as Resurrection Sunday this year. Maybe it isn’t new, and I just haven’t noticed the last few years. But to be accurate, Jesus’ resurrection is the center of all we believe and celebrate on Easter Day and every day of our lives as His sons and daughters.
First comes Good Friday. Looking back from our 21st century perspective, it is very good indeed. But on the day Christ Jesus suffered and died on the cross, I am sure His disciples didn’t celebrate or think of it as good in any way. Here was the Man they believed to be the Messiah, and the Roman government and Jewish leaders conspired to unjustly crucify Him.
After three days in the tomb, early on a Sunday morning Mary Magdalene came there while it was still dark. She saw the stone rolled away and the tomb empty and immediately ran to tell Peter and John. They were as confused as Mary was and went back home.
While Mary stood there weeping by the tomb, angels who appeared asked her what she was crying about. Angels! “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have put Him,” she replied. As she left, another Man asked her why the tears. “If you’ve taken Him away, tell me where you have put Him…”
“Mary!” Jesus said to her. “Go tell my brothers, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and Your God.’”
She ran and told everyone that she had seen the Lord alive. That evening Jesus appeared to the disciples where they gathered behind a locked door. He said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” We who follow Jesus have His Gospel message to share: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Jesus died for our sins and rose again. He paid the penalty we deserve so that we may live forever with Him in heaven, even after we die. That is Good News, or as one song says, the best news ever.
Whatever we call it, Easter or Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate Jesus Christ with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. What’s in a name?
A Goldilocks Life 