Not Just Another Day

As I did at Christmas, I would like to begin this post by letting my readers know that I will be dealing with a subject some of you might not agree with—Easter. Rather than offend you, I would like to give you the opportunity to quit reading at this time. If you do choose to quit reading, I would like to invite you back in a few days for brand new posts and, hopefully, a new feature or two. For those of you who have decided to stick with me, I would like to thank you for reading.

In trying to decide upon a title for this post, I did a little research and found that Easter is more than just a day, it is a season. It begins with the 40 days of Lent, a time set aside for reflection that symbolizes Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. Lent leads into Holy Week, the week before Easter. During this week, we have Maundy Thursday, the commemoration of the Last Supper, Good Friday, the day of the Crucifixion, Holy Saturday, the transition between the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, and Easter Sunday, the day of His Resurrection. The 50 days after Easter are called Eastertide. This period leads up to the observance of Christ’s ascension.

Aside from the calendar aspect of the holiday season, the title has a deeper meaning. For believers, Easter is the day Death lost its sting. Take, for example, the honey bee. Once a honey bee stings you, they suffer so much abdominal damage when they leave their stinger behind that they die. (This is one of the few species of bees that actually dies after stinging you.) When Jesus was crucified, He felt the sting of death, but on the day of His glorious resurrection, Death—like the honey bee—paid the price. Christ told us He came so that we might have life, and by embracing Him and accepting the forgiveness for our sins that He offers, Death will no longer have power over us. Most of us will die if the Lord waits long enough to return, but rather than being an ending, it will be a beginning.

While I don’t particularly want to die anytime soon, when my time comes I am ready. If you have stuck with me so far, let me just say that if you still fear death, you don’t have to. Ours is a risen Lord who waits with open arms. All it takes to receive life without the fear of death is a simple prayer. If you begin it with these 6 little words—Father, forgive me of my sins—as millions of believers have said them before you, and are sincere in this confession, then the Lord will help you with the rest. On the day you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will realize that, as the title says, it will not be just another day.

May God truly bless you during this Easter season.

Just thought I would jot this down.