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By Rev. Robert Hoekstra, Chaplain

Reflections of the Easter Season

We have recently journeyed through Holy Week and all of it’s wonderful services. We were moved by the music and message of Good Friday as we came in our thoughts to Calvary and remembered what Jesus did for us by offering himself on the cross. We lifted up our hearts on Easter and commemorated Jesus resurrection from the dead and the fact that eternal life is ours through faith in Him. What blessed reminders. What essential truths to be affirmed again and again. We do this in our communion service when we say, “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”            

We are Easter people. We learn that the message of Easter is the same as the message of Advent and Christmas . . . “Be not afraid.”            

We think back to the seasons of Advent and Christmas when we heard the angel’s words to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph and to the shepherd on the hillside, “Fear not!” Then on the morning of our Lord’s resurrection as the women came to the tomb, they encountered an angel who told them the same thing. Upon leaving they ran into Jesus who said the same thing to them. The message of Easter in the message of Christmas. The message is the gospel - good news of great joy for all people.            

“Do not be afraid!” is a message we need to hear again and again. We watch the news and see the devastation of earthquakes in Japan and tornados in the South. Gas prices continue to increase and one wonders what may be their next health crisis. We are Easter people. We live in the realities of being part of a world broken in so many ways. But our call as the people of God is to not live in fear by live in faith. The same Jesus who spoke peace to a troubled sea in the gospels is the same who speaks peace to us who find ourselves struggling and perhaps even drowning in the fears and uncertainties of life.            

Faith does not make us immune from difficulty. It does not guarantee that life with always be good. Faith does, however,  give us someone to trust in to guide us in our good days and who will be beside us in our tough times.            

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have hope. Hope is not simply wishful thinking or keep our fingers crossed that life will get better. Hope is confident assurance that is based on a person - Jesus Christ, and a promise - that he has opened up the door to life eternal.                          

Easter people, raise your voices, sounds of heaven in earth should ring. Christ has brought us heaven’s choices; heavenly music, let it ring. Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing. Fear of death can no more stop us from our pressing here below. For our Lord empowered us to triumph over every foe. Alleluia! Alleluia! On to victory now we go.                         

Every day to us is Easter, with its resurrection song. When in trouble move the faster To our God who rights the wrong. Alleluia! Alleluia! See the power of heavenly throngs.   We need not live in fear. We can live in faith. We are Easter people! 

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