I cannot remember when Easter Sunday, sometimes referred to as Resurrection Sunday fell on April 1st, sometimes referred to as April fool’s day (I googled it – 1956). Many years ago, my twin brother and I ran to the milking shed and told my dad that the minister was on the phone at home. My dad, immediately went for the long run home only to find out that his sons had ‘April fooled’ him. Well, today it is no fool’s day joke when Christians say, “He has Risen… (and all the people respond in unison) He has risen indeed!”

What a great day for the disciples and others who saw the resurrected Lord after his crucifixion. Three days earlier they had seen their beloved friend, brother, die an agonising death on the cross and be buried in an unused tomb. And now, resurrection Sunday, several people had seen Jesus alive and well. He had risen from the dead, just as He had repeatedly told them He would (Mat 16:21; 20:17-19; Mark 8:31; 9:31; Luke 9:22).

I dare say the hearts of Jesus’ followers must have skipped a beat to hear such good news and it still is good news today. Indeed, the Christian faith hangs on this great news that Jesus rose physically from the dead. His initial coming was announced many years earlier by His Father immediately after the fall of mankind into sin. He would come to redeem sinners by living as a sinless man amongst them. He would perform great miracles including the healing of the sick, stilling the storms, feeding thousands and even raising people from the dead, all proving He was the Son of God. Ironically, it was also His Father’s will that He would be become the sacrificial Lamb, being put to death on a cross to pay for the sins of His brothers and sisters.

Thankfully it didn’t end there! On the third day, He rose from the dead showing us that His Father was perfectly satisfied with the sacrifice He made for our redemption and for all who have been called to trust in Him for their forgiveness and eternal life in glory.

Unfortunately, many in our communities think that the ‘joke’ is on us and that we are fools to believe in the resurrection of Jesus, much less ourselves on Resurrection Day. Well, to them we respectfully say, “God’s word testifies to this great event and the Holy Spirit convicts us of this truth and therefore, we live as people with a peace that passes understanding and a great and sure hope for a glorious future. For Jesus not only died on Good Friday but rose victoriously from the grave on Easter Sunday morning.” And so, “to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever.” And all God’s people say, “Amen.” JZ.