Happy Easter!

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay                  Matthew 28:6

Today is Easter, the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from his crucifixion death  two days prior. A traditional greeting in the early church was “He is risen!” The response was an enthusiastic, “He is risen indeed!”

This event is the lifeblood of the Christian faith, for it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It symbolizes for his followers a new life for themselves- a life of forgiveness and a promise of everlasting life. It is a life of hope and joy-one to be shared with others.

Early believers confounded others around them who did not know Jesus, but only knew of the loving attitude and behaviors of those people who called themselves “The Way”, or “followers of Jesus”, or later, Christians. That name, Christians, apparently was a moniker given to those Jesus followers and it was not meant to be positive, but the “Jesus people” appropriated it for themselves.

So as Christians, we are to live our life in such a way that everyday we can be aware of the new life imparted to us- one that is best shared with others.

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for your son, his life, and his resurrection, Amen