…does it look the same today? Do folks still purchase clothes to wear to church on Easter Sunday?

There is so much to prepare for that one day. Eggs get hardboiled in preparation to dye. Festive baskets came out filled with chocolate and marshmallow bunnies. Some families hide the eggs for children to hunt down. The house gets a spring cleaning. Don’t forget the food prep for a big meal.

It is all a welcome site as spring time reeks new life when the weather warms. Our lawns come back from dormancy. Flower bulbs start to make their presence known. Gardeners are poring over their seed catalog, designing new flower beds. After a long cold winter, the greenery is welcome to come. The anticipation of it all.

Gardening is a mystery to me. Seeds put in the ground and if properly nourished, will grow, looking radically different.  The action is done underground where we cannot see. The seed breaks and dies in order to be transformed into a new and beautiful life.

Does the Easter season bring thoughts of Jesus to mind? His life walking on earth was so long ago, it would be easy to completely disregard him. His life was devoted to helping and encouraging others.  He was a man in demand as he traveled around healing the sick, he was often spoken of with admiration. But he also endured a solid week of false accusations, imprisonment, and mockery. An unjust court trial lead to beating—ultimately ending with his death on a cross.

His story is heard in many churches on Easter. What I find astounding is he intentionally left heaven to make certain these events would take place. Why?

For the express purpose of taking the blame for all the things you and I have done. He knew what would follow.  Jesus didn’t stay on the cross. He didn’t even stay in his tomb. His earthly body was broken and dead. But he rose again to a new beautiful life.

He wants all of mankind to have that same opportunity. Jesus returned to heaven to be at his dads’ side. Because of him you and I have the same opportunity for our heart to join his. It’s ours for the asking. After leaving, Jesus even sent a helper for mankind to make it easier for us to bear the hard things of the world.

In your remembering past Easters, remember Jesus and what he did with you in mind. That gives us all a  reason to celebrate the opportunity of a new and beautiful life.

Make this the year your life is transformed to a new and beautiful life—Happy Resurrection day!