Worst Easter Ever

Worst Easter Ever! Why wouldn’t it be? Celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus under Covid19 Lock-down. It seems really bad. We can’t go out to church on Holy week (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday). We can’t wear our newly bought clothing, can’t go out to a restaurant, can’t meet family and friends nor can we walk out of our homes without fear of being attacked by the virus or by the authorities of being arrested for breaking lock-down rules. This definitely must be the Worst Easter Ever! or is it?
The reason we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection cause that’s the starting point of our faith and salvation. Just as Apostle Paul says, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” – 1 Corinthians 15:14.  Without Jesus’  death and resurrection our faith does not exist. We celebrate in remembrance of the first Resurrection Sunday.

The Worst Easter Ever

The first Easter weekend didn’t start in celebration. The disciples of Jesus were sorrowful, some ran away in fear, while some didn’t want to associate Jesus’ name and life to that of their own. Because Jesus was a criminal. He was unjustly tried in court overnight and by morning a death sentence was given to Him. He was convicted wrongfully without evidence and was crucified next to thieves as a criminal. And his disciples would go into hiding and staying away from the authorities out of fear of being caught and crucified just like their teacher. The first Easter weekend was the worst ever, or so it seemed to everyone.
The disciples gave up hope, just like today. Coronavirus is taking away our hope. Millions of people are living in fear, not just of the virus, but also out what this lock-down means to them and their families. Some may lose their livelihood, others might lose their lives. Multiple industries are affected and millions of jobs are at stake. The world is in a pandemic.
When hope seems lost, hold on to your faith. Hope works best in the face of turmoil. We don’t hope as much when we live in good times, we don’t hope saying good times should become better times. We hope in the tension of turmoil, fear and anxiety. Our hope exists because of what Jesus achieved on that first Easter weekend. Sunday morning, the first day of the week, Jesus rose from the grave proving to the world that He is the risen Lord. Even though the disciples met and eat with Him following His resurrection, the disciples were living in hiding because that very message (Jesus’ resurrection) could get them into serious trouble and even imprisonment. His death made the way for our salvation. We have hope because of a life assured beyond the grave.
The disciples had unwavering hope in those challenging circumstances. This global pandemic isn’t the first one (neither will it be the last one), but have faith that you will survive this because of Jesus the champion who is fighting on our behalf. He is our provider and protector in these troubled times. The worst Easter ever brought to us the best gift ever. The gift of eternal life. No matter the circumstance, hold on to Jesus, cause Jesus gave us Hope.
Jesus = Hope.Your worst Easter can become a reflection of the best Easter as you commune with the Almighty, and lean in to trust on Him more.