The Surprise of Easter

A phrase I have heard many times this year is, “I’m so surprised by Easter,” meaning of course that it is coming so early this year.  We have had what seems like a ton of snow and bitter cold which adds to the surprise as well because we usually equate Easter to longer days and sunshine but it looks like this year we will still have piles of snow laying around. 

When you think about it, however, Easter is always a surprise, not just when it arrives earlier than usual.  We are surrounded by death.  We know about death.  It happens all the time.  We know, even though we don’t like to think about it, that it is part of living.  We grieve, we mourn, we send sympathy cards and care for those left behind.  Yes, we are acquainted with death, even though it has not yet been our experience.

Resurrection, however, is a very different thing.  We have not experienced it, and neither has anyone we know.  “Can it really be so?”  we ask.  “What will it be like?”  Will someone be there on the other side to meet me?”  Are those questions you have asked yourself?  It would be strange if you haven’t.

Each spring we experience resurrection.  The seemingly dead trees bring forth buds and soon brilliant green leaves cover the once dead looking branches.  The bulbs that have lain in the ground during the cold winter shoot sprouts that lead to beautiful flowers.  And though we know this is coming, it is still a surprise – a wonderful, wonderful surprise.

We worship a surprising God and God’s final surprise for us is resurrection.  We may have many questions about it, but one thing is for sure.  It will be our Lord Jesus Christ who greets us.  It is he who will call us home, into the light of his presence.

We know and can believe this for we have, through the gospel, witnessed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We have his promise that he has gone to prepare a place for all who believe in him.  He has promised that he will come again to bring us home. 

Yes it will be a surprise – the best surprise of our life!

Have a Blessed Easter

Pastor Mark