The Joy of Easter!

There was so much joy and excitement when Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey! People were cheering, and many wanted this teacher and miracle-worker to be crowned their king. They were laying palm branches before him and shouting, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mt. 21:9).

Who would have thought that just a few days later, the Jewish people would be shouting, “Crucify Him” (Mt. 27:22), and that is what they did. They nailed Jesus to a cross outside Jerusalem, and his followers and many others watched him die.

The Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ clothing, and after many hours, they came to break his legs to speed up his death. It was then they realized Jesus was already dead. To make sure, they stabbed him through with a spear.

Joseph of Arimathea receives permission to take Jesus’ body and put it in a tomb, some of the female followers of Jesus watch Joseph of Arimathea wrap

Jesus’ body with a burial linen and place him in the tomb. The women, who love Jesus, decide to return Sunday morning to give Jesus a proper Jewish burial.

That morning, as the women walked to the tomb with their spices and oils, I am sure they were sad and still heartbroken at the loss of Jesus. However, God knows how to turn our sorrows into joy, and when the women saw the stone had been rolled away, they were confused. When they stepped into the tomb and an angel tells them, “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who

was crucified. He is not here; he has risen” (Mt. 28:5-6), they were amazed. With hearts full of joy, the women ran to tell the other followers that Jesus was no longer dead – he had risen from the grave!

As more people encountered the Risen Lord – hope and joy spread to more hearts and more lives were changed! Now 2,000 years later, billions of lives have been changed by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This Easter may we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! May we encounter the Risen

Christ, and may we be filled with Joy and hope once more!