He Is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

On Easter morning when I was a kid, my father would clomp down the stairs in his suit and big, black dress shoes to shout, “He is risen!” into the darkness of our first floor bedrooms. My brother and I, barely coherent in our cozy beds on opposite sides of the hallway would croak, “He is risen indeed,” with far less enthusiasm. It was Easter Sunday, and we were getting up before the crack of dawn to attend the Easter sunrise service. We lived in New Jersey, so we never actually saw the sun rise because it was usually cold and cloudy, but there was always the service to attend with a breakfast to follow.

As a kid, I didn’t really appreciate Dad’s enthusiastic response to Easter morning, although when I did finally wake up, I enjoyed the day. I remember the Easter baskets Mom spent so much time and effort making, and the Easter eggs she dyed with us the day before, and the fun time with my grandparents and great aunts who came over for Easter dinner, but I also remember with such clarity Dad’s early morning announcement.

Looking back now, from a middle-aged life filled with much more experience, a life that has seen pain, struggled with faith, and said goodbye to loved ones, I have a new and better appreciation for Dad’s unbridled Easter joy. “He is risen!” Death has lost its sting! The tomb is empty and the grave has been defeated! Jesus lives and His resurrection means that I will see my dear loved ones when I, too, die. It means I have hope and strength for whatever happens tomorrow.

I wish I could travel back to those days as a kid and wake up once again to hear Dad tromping down the stairs followed by Mom dressed in her Sunday best and hear Dad yell, “He is risen!” I would answer him with much more joy and hope. “He is risen indeed!” Hallelujah! What a Savior! Amen.

Photo from https://pixabay.com/photos/easter-lily-flower-spring-plant-1270523/