A Bitter Sweet Celebration ~ He Is Risen!

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” Then they remembered his words.

Luke 24:1-8 NIV

Easter is always a difficult day for me. It’s a day of sadness and joy, both bitter and sweet at the same time.

The joy, of course, is from the incredible celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. It is a day of worship and gratitude for all He has done to procure our souls for eternity, with Him, in paradise. We celebrate because we know Jesus and want only to show the world how much we love Him and how much we honor His selfless, un-repayable, sacrifice.

Church is overflowing with people glowing in Worship, as well as those whose hearts are still searching for why we are so in love with Jesus. I am joined by many, in prayer for those who still don’t understand, for those whose hearts are still unsure if Jesus is all the Bible says He is. We pray for something, anything, in this service to touch their hearts, to reach the depths of their souls. We pray a certain song, or a few words of the sermon, will draw them in. We pray something will make them want to understand why we lift our hands in praise and why we sing at the top of our lungs, “Hosanna in the highest!”

The joy of the resurrection is moved aside as I see the images in my mind of the tremendous torture Jesus had to endure for our sake. It brings me to uncontrollable tears as the Pastor reads the words that describe the pain and suffering Jesus willingly took on so we would be forgiven by our Heavenly Father for our multitude of sins.

I still do not understand why we call the day three days prior, “Good Friday.” I understand the reason in my head, but it still makes no sense in my heart. To me, there is nothing “good” about what Jesus endured. I feel so helpless in knowing there is nothing I can do to wipe away the blood, tears, and pain of the One I worship and adore. My gratitude is beyond words.

Oh what an incredible day of joy, mixed with the sadness of suffering and the sorrow of knowing there are still so many so far from understanding the saving grace of Jesus.

And yet, we celebrate, as we should. We celebrate our lives once lost to sin and eternal punishment, now also resurrected into eternal life. We praise our Lord for salvation so undeserved. We stand with arms stretched toward the heavens in praise and worship of the One who loves us that much.

Easter, a celebration? Oh yes! A celebration of Jesus’ victory over evil, His victory over sin, and His victory over death. He has risen! What a glorious day!

Heavenly Father, we are so unworthy of You and Your Son, yet we stand in awe of how much You love us. “Thank You” seems inadequate, yet we say just that. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Please dear Father, help us to never forget Easter. As each new day dawns, may we remember Your sacrifice and never forget our duty to show others how much You love them too. In the matchless name of Jesus, our Lord, Savior and Friend, amen.

In His Embrace,

Toni