The Evidence of Easter
As the sun broke over the horizon, our family of five hustled into the van, eager for Easter service celebrations at the corps. Clad in our uniforms, our three girls donned their stunning new dresses and shiny shoes, anticipation buzzing in the air for a morning of fervent worship. We expected the corps to be adorned with Easter lilies and a scattering of palm leaves from the previous week. As I navigated the van out of the driveway, a glance at our neighbor’s house revealed a trail of large pink footprints leading to their front door. These tracks, a whimsical touch by a mysterious visitor, hinted at a magical Easter surprise awaiting the children in the household.
Pulling into the corps parking lot, my mind raced with thoughts of the evidence of Easter adorning our sanctuary. The white lilies stood proudly at the chapel’s entrance, heralding the Good News. Palm leaves, remnants of Palm Sunday, were artfully arranged around the blooms. The cross at the platform’s rear was draped in pristine white linen, a proclamation of His resurrection! The aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckoned me towards the kitchen and fellowship hall, bustling with leaders preparing for the Easter egg hunt following the service. These meticulous preparations were clear signs that Easter Sunday had dawned!
Soon, Salvationists and visitors mingled with the customary Easter greeting, “He has risen, He has risen indeed.” Voices resonated with the triumphant hymn, “Up from the Grave He Arose,” and the Easter morning scripture echoed through the sanctuary. Mark 16 invited us to join Mary Magdalene and Salome on their journey to the tomb, where they found the stone rolled away and an angel announcing Christ’s resurrection. The evidence of an empty tomb filled Mary with awe and wonder.
This Resurrection Sunday, the evidence of Jesus’ victory over death is palpable in the Word of God and in the faces of our fellow believers. As Salvationists and Christians worldwide celebrate, we rejoice in the promise of resurrection. I commend each of you for embodying this truth and spreading hope, truth, and love in a world hungry for it. Let us radiate the light of Christ within us this Easter season, illuminating our hearts and homes with His enduring grace and love!
Let us heed the words of John 20:29: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Just as Mary Magdalene encountered the evidence of Christ’s resurrection at the empty tomb, may we, too, find faith in the unseen, trusting in the enduring evidence of Jesus’ victory over death. Let our lives be a testament to this truth, shining brightly with the hope and love that comes from knowing that our Savior lives!