Happy Easter

By Bethany Lashbrook

Last week on a morning radio show, the two co-hosts were discussing Easter Eggs. Apparently, a school in Portland had a complaint about the usage of the term "Easter eggs" and had suggested the term be completely wiped out from future use. The verdict: spring spheres. Say again?

So, along with replacing Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays, we are now to use the term spring spheres for Easter eggs? I think not! Beyond that, the true meaning of Easter is the cross, not the egg.

Every Christian holiday has been replaced by a secular counterpart (Easter Bunny, Santa). I don't see us replacing the Thanksgiving turkey with the chicken or Independence Day fireworks with the much safer blowing bubbles. What is it that upsets people so much about Jesus?

His message was clearly to love rather than hate (Matthew 22:39). He said to build others up rather than tear down (Ephesians 4:29). He asked us to give to the poor rather than hoard all of our money (Matthew 6:19,20).

This year, let's celebrate Easter - well, the Easter way. Let's smile, laugh, love our family, love our neighbors, help those less fortunate, be less sarcastic, sincere and give thanks to the One who made it all happen - Jesus!

Dear Lord, because of the Cross, we know we are never alone. Thank you for Your story. Help us to share it with others bravely, clearly, and with Jesus-like actions. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application: Enjoy Easter with family and friends. Try to center your weekend around Jesus, and not all the secular counterparts of Easter.

Power Verses:

Mark 15:33-40, "At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there." (NIV)

Mark 16:1-8, "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."(NIV)