Easter: When Sorrow Comes Before Joy
Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer
As we looked forward to the beginning of spring in March, we also began to think about the greatest of Christian holy days, Easter, being a movable feast, is in April in 2025. Before we reach Easter, though, we should anticipate it with Lent—40 days of fasting, acts of service, self-examination, and contemplation of our need for Jesus. While our culture celebrates Easter with the trappings of spring—eggs, bunnies, and daffodils—along with religious observances, we should never lose sight of the realities that go before the joy of our celebration of the resurrection.
Reality 1: We are broken, lost, and ill-fated even at our human best. No one is enough in oneself to ensure a completely satisfying life. No matter what we have. No matter what we do. No matter what others think of us. No one scores 100% on the perfection scale of life in this world much less in God’s sight (Rom. 3:23).
Reality 2: We need help to live the “good life” we all desire. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, called this the abundant or full life. He said he came to give us that kind of life, if we would take Him up on His offer and become one of his sheep in his sheepfold (John 10).
Reality 3: His power, authority, and victory are enough. Attested to by an empty tomb, Jesus proves he can be trusted to do what he says he will do. The sorrow and suffering of our Lord’s crucifixion is replaced by the joy of his resurrection!
We can deal with the reality of sin and our inability to overcome the world by accepting His offer of inclusion in his dearly loved family. As we contemplate these realities, let us remember who we were without him, who we are with him, and how that should change the way we live every day.
If you look at your calendar you will notice that the solemn observation of Lent lasts more than 40 calendar days. That is because it does not include Sundays. There is a wonderful reason for leaving out the first day of the week—JOY. The overriding theme of Easter is joy in the proclamation, Christ is risen! And each Sunday commemorates the joy of Easter Sunday.
We think of joy at Christmas and Easter, but how often do we contemplate our weekly appointment with it on Sunday? In the rush of daily life, we have the reminder that Christ is risen, and we can rejoice!
As we prepare for Easter this year, and every year, may we be thoughtful, sober, committed, and realistic about who we are, what we deserve, and what we have received by grace. But most of all, let us remember to “Rejoice…and again I say rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).
(Photo credit: RA Stites, Northwest Arkansas)
