Easter comes very early this year.  Its date always falls on a Sunday, the first day of the week, to remind us that we now are part of the first day of the New Creation.  If I remember correctly, the date is determined as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.  That means Easter could only be celebrated one day earlier then we do so this year.

As I have stated before, Easter is the first and greatest holy day of the Christian Church.  Long before the first Christmas was celebrated we were rejoicing in Easter.  While we bow in humility and tears at the wondrous work of sacrifice made on Good Friday, it is to the Sunday that follows that the hearts of Christians have turned to find the joy that does not fail us.  So important did the early church view its celebration that it almost came to blows determining the right day to remember it upon.  We, the adopted children of Abraham, even celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, and not on Saturday as do the Jews and some branches of the faith, because most of the church viewed it more important to celebrate each week in the resurrection and the new creation than in the end of the first creation.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Corinth , tells us that the resurrection of Jesus and the coming resurrection of all believers are of “first importance.”  There is no true faith if it is limited to just this life.  If God is not greater than death, if life cannot overcome the enemy of the world, then our faith is futile, worthless, and our condition is worse then that of the world, for we are living a lie.

I think that 1 Corinthians 15 is the most wonderful text to present to an unbelieving world concerning Jesus continuing life.  Paul tells of his witness, the witnesses of others and the effect of Christ’s presence upon the church.  He challenges his opponents to go seek out the over five hundred witnesses of the risen Christ, something that shows how certain he is of the truth.  Although none of these are any longer with us, it is amazing at his confidence in those days to do so.

He tells us of the consequences of denying this belief and the benefits of living by it (ultimately despair, over against joy).  Without Easter being real our faith is futile and we are all still in our sins.

Don’t let anyone try to tell you anything else.  We are the people of the resurrection.  We live because Jesus lives.

Happy Easter

Jim Berger