Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023
“Happy Easter! How Am I Supposed to Respond?”
Whew! We made it to Easter! No more Lenten sacrifices, at least, not until next year. Everything is finally back to where it’s supposed to be. Eat what I want to eat. Drink what I want to drink. Jelly Bellies for an appetizer, Key lime pie for my entrée, and a frozen beverage to wash it all down. What does Easter mean, other than the obvious stomach ache, sugar crash, and hangover that are sure to come?
I know what Easter is Supposed to mean. I know that Jesus’ emergence from the tomb is Supposed to mean that God is bigger than death. It’s also Supposed to mean that no matter what sins I’ve committed (and they are aplenty), I am forgiven. I also know that my old self is Supposed to die away because of God’s love and mercy, and I am Supposed to begin a new life.
God’s gift of Easter is really a big deal. It means that God loves us a whole lot. It means that God has forgiven us of all our stupidity and that we no longer have to be slaves to what we’ve done. Sure, we may still have consequences for our sins, but God’s promise is supposed to free us so that we can become better people than we used to be. I’m Supposed to be better, but what does that really mean?
For one thing, celebrating and believing in Easter indicates that we are thankful for God’s work and we are going to be more faithful people. It indicates that we are going to love God and other people much better than before. Can we set aside the hurts? Can we forgive the wrongdoing? That’s what God did at Easter. Easter means that the love and forgiveness God gives us is an example by which we are Supposed to be willing to love and forgive others.
Easter is Supposed to make life better because of the LORD’s incredible gift. We are Supposed to open it, use it, and give it to someone else. That’s how we’re Supposed to respond to Easter! Hallelujah!
“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.” (2 Cor 5:17, CEV)
