Almost a year ago now, I received that phone call everyone with an aging parent dreads. My Dad, Jay Edison, had had a heart attack and wasn’t expected to make it. Catching the first plane I could, I rushed to get there, praying the whole way for just one more chance to speak to him, to see him again. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Unbeknownst to me, he had died before I even got on the plane.
It’s been rough at times since. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished I could share something with Dad or asked him for advice. Still the comfort I have is the knowledge I will see Dad again.
Right now Dad rests in the grave, just as Jesus did over the Sabbath following his crucifixion, but someday soon our risen Savior “will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 NLT)
This is the hope and promise we celebrate this Easter Sunday. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice in dying on the cross and then His resurrection ,we can look forward with joy to the day we will not only see our loved ones again, but hold them in our arms, laugh with them, and enjoy just being with them, knowing we will never again have to say good-bye.
Many relegate the Easter Story to the realm of fables and truly, “if Christ has not been raised, then [our] faith is useless” and “we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.” (1 Corinthians 15:17, 19). But, praise God, “in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.” (v. 20). Because of this “all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.” (v. 23)
Today, as you look back at the Resurrection, also look forward with joy to the great harvest to come. We will see our loved ones soon! What a day that will be!
This Easter let’s spread the word! Jesus is risen indeed and He’s coming soon! I can hardly wait!