Happy Easter! // He is Risen Indeed!

Easter lilies! Can you hear

What they whisper, low and clear?

In dewy fragrance they unfold

Their splendor sweet, their snow and gold.

Every beauty-breathing bell

News of heaven has to tell.

Listen to their mystic voice,

Hear, O mortal, and rejoice!

Hark, their soft and heavenly chime:

Christ is risen for all time!

~On Easter Day by Celia Laighton Thaxter

Easter Day. 

I think this is the most beautiful holiday. 

You all know how I love stories of redemption and hope and second chances and love and forgiveness. Easter is the greatest story of redemption ever told. And the most wonderful thing is, it's true. 

The beginning of the story is Betrayal. Brokenness. Abandonment. Denial. Fear. Loss. Agony. Shame. Separation. Grief. Death.

But on the third day came the resolution. A Promise kept. Healing. Joy. Love. Peace. Togetherness. Faith. Glorification. Eternal Life.

Christ's resurrection was the beautiful, perfect ending to the Crucifixion story. Because He lives, we have justification.

But the Crucifixion story is just an episode of another story.

This story begins before the world was begun. Before the mountains were put in their places, before anyone existed, the love of God was already there for the ones He would create and He was already planning their redemption.

When the first characters sinned and fell, The Author promised redemption. He gave a way to have forgiveness. He gave Hope.

And through the ages, people hoped. People came to God for forgiveness and received it. People waited for the redemption and believed it was coming.

Then, on a certain day in a certain emperor's reign, the promise was accomplished. A young woman was told that she was chosen to carry the One who was mankind's redemption. Nine months later, that One was born.

And people waited and hoped on.

Thirty-three years later, the climax of the story came. The Hero sacrificed himself. The Sinless Lamb of Easter died and shed His blood, the only thing that could cover the sins of man.

The Redemption was offered.

And three days later, the Justification was given when the Lord arose from the tomb.

The story isn't over yet. Redemption and justification is being offered yet to everyone who will believe in Jesus and accept His sacrifice to cover their sins. Our loving God still offers forgiveness and second chances to every one on this earth.

There's Hope in Christ.

Because there's Redemption in Christ.

He is risen. We can be forgiven, washed, redeemed, justified, and made whole in Him. We can have victory over death. The wages of sin need no longer be ours. Jesus paid the price to set us free. 

Consider the true meaning of Easter. 

Celebrate New Life in Christ.

And share this Good News with those around you.

Christ is risen. We are justified in Him. Sing His praises, and live for Him.