Alleluia and Amen!

For the longest time, I found Good Friday to be more stirring than Easter morning. I am always struck by the unfairness of Good Friday, the agonizing sacrifice, the intense love, the power of Jesus’ death as witnessed in earthquakes, solar eclipse and a holy curtain ripped in two. Good Friday humbles me and saddens me. Who am I that He would CHOOSE to die for me? My heart is moved by tender songs of love as I depart from Good Friday services in silence.

Easter morning brings a relief to the solemnity of the reflections from two days prior. It is full of colour, joyful praise and resounding alleluias. However, until recent years, I didn’t really FEEL all that Easter morning means. As I grow in my faith journey, I continue to be increasingly affected by this amazing day.

The resurrection affirms for me that Jesus is who He said He is - the very Son of God! Only God himself could pull this off! And...if He can do this, He can do anything!

I wouldn’t even know about Good Friday if it weren’t for Easter Sunday! Jesus’ personal contact with His followers after rising is so impactful, they were prepared to risk everything to declare the Good News. Paul went on to share the Gospel with the non-Jewish people, which includes me! When I consider the path the Good News has taken to reach me, it boggles my mind!

Because of Easter morning, Jesus is a living presence to me, not just a remarkable person whose wise words and amazing miracles I read about in the Word. He is my personal Redeemer, here and now.

And, finally, if Jesus had not risen, I would have no hope of Heaven. He was the first to be raised and He promises the same for those who follow Him.

If all of this isn’t enough to move me to tears, I don’t know what is!

Alleluia and amen!