Springtime and Easter

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).

In spring, animals that hibernated through winter stir from their sleep. In spring, trees that were dormant start budding with fresh leaves. In spring, flowers bloom and farmers seed their fields for a new growing season.

Spring is a time of joy. The days grow warmer. We get more hours of sunlight. We are freed from being captive in our homes, freed to enjoy the sights and smells of a world coming alive after long, cold months of darkness.

No wonder that Jesus rose from the dead in spring. The Son of God ended the cold winter of sin and death. He freed us from the guilt and shame of sin by suffering on the cross as our substitute. He defeated the power of death by returning to life on Easter morning. Because Jesus rose triumphant over sin and death, the dark coldness of winter that afflicted our souls has given way to the sunny warmth of spring.

Because of Jesus, we don’t have to sit in the dark by ourselves, hiding from the world because we don’t want anyone to see our shame. On the cross, Jesus earned the right to forgive our evil thoughts, words and deeds. He suffered the punishment you deserved for ignoring God and spreading hurt instead of kindness. He wants you to stop hibernating; He invites you to come out and join all those who are enjoying the beauty of God’s love.

Because of Jesus, we are filled with new life. He died to free you from the past. Turn your back on bad habits and addiction. Turn your back on being critical or pessimistic. Turn your back on pleasures that waste money or degrade the value of your humanity. Let Jesus plant something new in you. Let Him steer you into fresh ways of doing things, ways that show honor to God and respect to others. Let the bad things of the past die and be forgotten, buried in Jesus’ grave. He rose from the dead to make our future bright; rejoice in the beautiful new spring that He offers you and take advantage of the new opportunities that it brings.