I’ll be honest, it doesn’t feel like this is Easter weekend. Granted, Easter has never had the same kind of commercial buildup as Christmas, and as I’m writing this I’m enjoying my favorite Easter candy treat (Cadbury Chocolate Creme Eggs), but it just doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe it’s the lack of buildup this year. There’s no Easter choir, no Easter lilies, and no Palm Sunday sermon last week.
Okay, technically there was a Palm Sunday sermon last week, but we were watching it at home, in the comfort of our living room, not actually having to get dressed and go anywhere. Same for this Sunday. Might as well leave the Easter dresses and shirts on the hangers, we’re not going out.
Back when we lived in Washington, Easter weekend would be the trigger for the annual argument of where I would be on Sunday afternoon. Hanging out with the family after service and lunch, or rushing back to Seattle for the last few hours of Sakuracon? Family always won out. With the kids being older now, it might be a little different story, but we don’t live there anymore.
I’m going to miss saying “He is risen.” and hearing back “He is risen indeed.” from my fellow Christian friends today and on Sunday.
Still, whether if “feels” like Easter or not, that is what this weekend is. Not a time for bunnies and eggs, but a time to remember that Christ Jesus died for our sins, willingly sacrificing his life in substitutionary atonement for us. The Way, the Truth, and the Life, risen again to life on the Third Day and our only hope for eternal life.
Amen. May you feel the blessing of God on you this weekend.