I think we can all agree that a collective sigh of relief happened across our great country today with the coming of the first day of spring.
The winter we had here in Oklahoma wasn’t a particularly awful one, but after months of the sun going down at 5 p.m., I am ready for sunshine. My preacher mentioned yesterday from the pulpit, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) saying that it is a scientific fact that Ultraviolet rays release endorphins in sunny months that simply aren’t released in winter months.
To that I say, “Bring on the sunshine, Lord!” (it’s currently 89 degrees and sunny, praise the Lord!)
However, more than the return of sunshine, my absolute favorite part of spring is Easter. I don’t mean the Easter bunny, chocolate-covered secular holiday. I’m talking about the resurrection of the King!
To some, Easter is the one Sunday a year that the family attends church, mostly centered on the perfect Easter dress, a family brunch and then of course, the Americanization of the Holy celebration, the Easter Bunny and all that comes with it.
It is so much more than that, friends. It is the time where the only perfect person to walk on Earth took up his cross, willingly endured gruesome torture and gave his life so that someday, we, a sinful and despicable people, could join him in Paradise.
One of my absolute favorite songs lately that I think does great justice to the reverence of the resurrection is the song “What a Beautiful Name.” Here is my favorite part of the song that makes me feel downright charismatic:
Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast, of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, Our God reigns
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name, above all names
You see, brother or sister, there is nothing that He cannot conquer. He has conquered the unconquerable, death itself. “They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:2-3).
In these weeks leading up to Easter, I encourage you to think about whom you can or will bring to church with you. Palm Sunday, the Sunday proceeding Easter Sunday, is an excellent time to introduce a friend to church without overwhelming them.
Palm Sunday is the day to celebrate the Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!'” (Matt. 21:9)
I say all of this not to chastise any who celebrate Easter with an Easter egg hunt or celebrate with chocolate. Both of those things are good, clean fun.
I do say it to get you excited as a believer for the Super Bowl of all Christian holidays! (Yes I believe the holiday is even more important that Christmas)!
Now, go and grab some close friends, shine your best shoes and head to church this Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of the High King!