Faith | Better than finding a chocolate bunny is discovering God’s plan

Growing up, I always looked forward to Easter.

I didn’t know what it really meant, but I loved the Easter egg hunts in town and at my house.

My mom would make us individual treasure maps in order to find a special prize at the end. And she would make a special meal with lots of deserts, especially my favorite, anything chocolate!

As an adult, I understand we celebrate the holiday of Easter—or as I now like to call it— Resurrection Day. This day of observance is just once a year to remember and celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

Jesus, himself, actually told his followers of his upcoming death, and that he would come back to life three days later. This outrageous claim of Jesus is recorded in the Bible in the book of Mathew, chapter 17, verses 22-23.

Can you imagine how his disciples, friends and followers felt to be told that their dear friend, and incredible teacher, was going to die? And then, to actually have it happen just as he said?

They had believed he would solve all their problems by ending the Roman tyranny and then establish his perfect kingdom. His followers also believed he would rule forever with peace and prosperity for everyone. Now, they had witnessed his horrible, disgraceful death and they were left alone, disillusioned with all their hopes shattered.

Thankfully, it doesn’t end there.

In the Bible, we read in Matthew 28, that Mary Magdalene—and some other women— were the first to see the empty tomb on the third day. They reported it to the disciples, and soon John and Peter came running to see for themselves if it was really empty.

After they checked the tomb, Jesus then appeared to Peter and also to the other disciples. Later, he appeared to more than 500 people, on one occasion.

Jesus Christ, who had lived a sinless life, had achieved victory over death just as he had said he would. Resurrected from the grave after having suffered a horrible death on the cross at Calvary, he did not stay dead, but came back to life.

Today, he reaches out to all mankind with the invitation to trust the substitutionary provision of his death for our sins—past, present and future. Christ died and rose again so that each individual, by faith in the work of Jesus on his behalf, can be permanently reconciled to God and live forever in a relationship with him.

Easter reminds us of the absolute, assured glorious hope we can have in Jesus Christ.

It is truly amazing to think that as a seemingly insignificant speck (me) in this great and vast universe, that the almighty Creator of the heavens and earth could love me so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for my sins. He wants to have a personal relationship with me forever—and you, too. He truly does.

He gave me—and offers the same to you—the right to be his child. It happened for me when I trusted in him as my Lord and Savior, allowing me to come boldly to his throne of grace. There, I can ask for mercy and find grace to help me whenever needed (Hebrews 4:14-16).

It might not be a treasure map to a golden egg with a huge chocolate bunny like it was when I was a kid, but it is God’s perfect plan. A plan for abundant living in a relationship with him, the God of the universe. It’s the best Easter prize imaginable.

Happy Resurrection Day! He is risen indeed!

Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick and vice chairman of the Tri-Cities Child Evangelism Fellowship. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.