While Easter egg hunts and pastel outfits are fun traditions (we had quite the spectacle with 16,000 eggs disappearing in just two and a half minutes!), the heart of Easter lies in the story of Jesus. Born around 4 BC and living until about 30 AD, Jesus was both fully human and fully God. He walked among us, ate meals with people, and touched lives with his healing hands.
But Jesus' life wasn't without controversy. Despite living a perfect life, He made some people unhappy – a reminder that even perfection can ruffle feathers. This tension ultimately led to His arrest, unfair trial, and crucifixion.
The Unexpected Turn: Resurrection
Here's where the story takes an unexpected turn. Mark 16:6 recounts the scene at Jesus' tomb: "You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead!" This moment changed everything. The disciples, who had seen Jesus die, now witnessed Him alive again.
You might be thinking, "Really? Did this actually happen?" It's a fair question. But consider this: not only do we have Biblical accounts, but even secular historians like Tacitus, a Roman writer known for his accuracy, documented Jesus' existence, crucifixion, and the rapid spread of His teachings after His death.
The Power of Eyewitness Accounts
The apostle Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus three times before His crucifixion, became one of the most vocal witnesses of the resurrection. In 2 Peter 1:16, he wrote, "For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes."
Peter and the other disciples believed so strongly in what they had seen that they were willing to die rather than recant their testimony. This wasn't about defending a philosophy or a set of teachings – it was about standing firm on what they had witnessed with their own eyes.
So What? The Life-Changing Implications
The resurrection of Jesus isn't just a historical event – it's a promise that changes everything. It means that our deepest sufferings, our losses, our tragedies are not the end of our story. Just as Jesus welcomed Peter back after his denial, offering forgiveness and a new beginning, He extends the same grace to each of us.
Putting It Into Practice:
1. Embrace hope: Remember that your current struggles, no matter how overwhelming, are not the final chapter of your story.
2. Accept forgiveness: Like Peter, we all have moments we're not proud of. But it's never too late to accept the forgiveness Jesus offers
3. Live with confidence: Knowing that "the worst thing is never the last thing" can give us courage to face life's challenges head-on.
4. Share your story: Your journey of faith, with all its ups and downs, can inspire others to find hope in Jesus.
As we wrap up this Easter reflection, I invite you to consider: Have you said yes to Jesus? Have you embraced the hope that comes from knowing the resurrection is true? It's never too late, and you're never too far gone.
Next week, we're starting a new series called "Believe Again." Whether you're a skeptic, someone who used to believe, or a long-time follower looking for a refresher, this series is for you. Because here's the thing: we believe that following Jesus makes your life better and makes you better at life.
This Easter, will you choose to live with the assurance that for you, the worst thing is never the last thing? The resurrection of Jesus offers us this hope – a hope that can change everything.