“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus…why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:1-5)

Easter greetings seem far away as we are up to our knees in snow. This has certainly been a long, cold, snowy winter. But we know Easter will come, regardless of the weather.

Easter is when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. What makes no earthly sense becomes the cornerstone of our faith. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all relate the story: The crucifixion of Jesus, his burial in a borrowed grave, and the startled women discovering an empty tomb.

Later the Gospels tell of Jesus being seen and heard and touched, proving to his disciples that he really rose from the dead.

The life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus teach us that death does not have the final say. We believe in our own life after death. When someone we love dies, it is a great comfort to know they are living, tear free and pain free, fully in the presence of God. Because of Easter, we believe in life after death.

There is plenty in the natural world to clue us in to renewal of life. We eagerly look forward to spring, when formerly dormant bulbs creep up through the cold mud with their touches of green. Before the trees are green, the bare wood seems to change color, telling us the sap once again is running. The hours of daylight grow longer. Animals shed their winter coats, and we will hope to put ours away.

We really look forward to spring, warmer weather, a full church, the special music and new clothes. Some of us look forward to our new life as well. We look forward to the time when we will be new creations, tear free and pain free, fully in the presence of God. Our eternal life is the goal of our faith, made possible by the empty tomb.

Jesus made the journey from Bethlehem to Calvary and the open tomb for us. The power of the resurrection is also for us. Everlasting, eternal life is for us, a gift from God.

We are Easter people. May we live our lives as people of faith, living out our own journey from Bethlehem to the open tomb.

Easter Blessings to all, Pastor Edrye