What Difference Does Easter Make?

We are approaching some of the busiest times in the church calendar. Still in the midst of Lenten reflections and studies and messages, we will soon be at Holy Week and Easter Sunday. To many in our world, Easter is only a day for picnics and family get together. For some, the Easter Bunny and candy and egg hunts have replaced the traditions of the church. To be politically correct, we have replaced the Easter vacation at school with the secular “spring break.” Ask most children, and Easter has more to do with jelly beans and time away from school than what Easter really means.

What difference does Easter make? It makes all the difference to those of us who are in touch with the reality of life and death. It is about the man who was God’s Son, who came to show people not just a way to live, but a way to face the great enemy of death. Jesus came to reveal God’s love for humanity. And what happened, humanity rejected Him. Humanity, not just evil leaders, but humanity murdered him by nailing him to a cross. Humanity buried Jesus in a tomb carved out of the side of a hill. It seemed as if evil had the final word but we know Easter does make a difference.

In an instant, history was forever changed, when the stone was rolled away to allow the women who showed up expecting to anoint a dead body, found the powerful hand of God moved the stone away as Jesus Christ stepped forth brimming with life. Where once the human mortality rate had been 100%, it was now all different. Death is no longer the last word for the followers of Jesus Christ; life is now the last word.

While world religious leaders have come and gone, the fact remains that only One stepped forth from the tomb. Only one has risen from the dead. Only one offers the promise of eternal life and abundant life to the followers. Only one said: I AM the resurrection and the life.” I hope you will join us here at Covenant as we celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord in our worship experiences. We will declare Easter makes the difference as we gather on Palm Sunday, not just to have an Easter Egg Hunt for our children during the Sunday School hour, but to worship the Lord as our Chancel Choir presents Journey to the Cross. Holy Wednesday, we will gather for Holy Communion Service. Good Friday, our sanctuary will be open for self-directed devotion focusing on the way to the Cross. Then on Easter morning, our worship begins at 7:00am for our sunrise service. Our 9:00am and 11:00am am services will be celebrating the difference Easter makes as Redeemed will lead us in original musical composition entitled: Eyewitness. I can’t think of a better way to say: “Yes, Easter makes a difference in my life”, by joining with and inviting others to come celebrate the Resurrection here at Covenant. I can guarantee you, that at each of those special events, you will experience the risen Lord and feel His touch on your life. We can celebrate the victory over death, and declare to the world, Easter means Jesus Christ is Lord indeed!

See you at your place of worship,
Rev. Chris Blanchard