"...so that our joy may be complete" (1 John 1:4).
Last week I walked into a local arts and crafts store and asked if they still had any Easter things. The young lady pointed me to the back of the store where they had gathered the leftovers. The sign read, "70% Off All Easter Merchandise."
Easter is arguably the happiest, holiest day for Christians, on which we celebrate the resurrection of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Chances are, you had a wonderful Easter. But what percentage of that joy do you have today?
Where I pastor, church attendance went down over 40% the Sunday after Easter. Something is wrong.
We need to ask ourselves whether we really, truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Or whether Easter hops in and then right back out of our hearts and minds like the bunny and like many other holidays.
The joy of Easter is a spiritual one that runs deeper than our emotions. The joy of Easter lasts longer than a day. It is everlasting! For the joy of Easter is the risen Christ!
As Christians, we should celebrate Easter every day, with each new sunrise. And we should go back to the way the early Christians looked forward to every Sunday as Easter!*
Christ is 100% risen! And the joy with which He comes and fills our hearts can never be any less. Alleluia!
*"The Lord's Day of the first Christians was therefore a celebration of Christ's resurrection. Each Lord's Day was an Easter Festival, since this was not yet confined to one single Sunday in the year. This meaning of Sunday is repeatedly forgotten today" (from Early Christian Worship by Oscar Cullmann).
