Easter: Holiday of Hope
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.”
1 Corinthians 15:20a
A friend texted early last Friday morning saying, “So glad God planned it to be our holiday of hope for you to have to go through first without him.” I had never heard Easter described exactly in that way but moving forward, I think those words might be the best description for Easter and the celebration of Christ’s atoning death and resurrection.
Throughout Easter weekend there were many evidences of God’s tender mercies. Each one reminded me that people were remembering James Bruce’s life and praying for us. One of his former Rainbow Omega caregivers emailed the following:
“I truly fell in love with your son. He made me happy!...He would talk about when he was going home he would go get donuts and eat at Krispy Kreme and go get breakfast at Chick-fil-A. It just isn’t the same without him. He made my days and nights so much better. I will forever be touched by him.”
Laura’s email was a window into James Bruce’s life at Rainbow Omega. It reassured me that James Bruce was loved there but knew that he still had a home and family that valued, loved, and even indulged him.
One kind friend dropped off some beautiful Easter cookies and a note that read, “Remembering James Bruce and your family this week and sending so much love. Have a wonderful Easter.”
Another dear family friend dropped off a delicious pound cake, my ultimate comfort food!
Our ten year old granddaughter Julia shared the poem that she had recently written for a fourth-grade poetry writing assignment. Julia’s teacher helped her print it on some quality paper and encouraged her to decorate it with her artwork for Easter.
I walked into our church sanctuary Sunday morning and caught my breath at the sight of hundreds of white Easter lilies. Jesus words “the fields are white for harvest” (John 4:35) quickly came to my mind and heart. Six of those lilies had been given in memory of James Bruce. Each lily was another God-given tender mercy and a reminder that he is not forgotten.
After church my daughter and her husband hosted our traditional Evans family meal. Four generations ages 3-94 gathered to celebrate Easter together. We enjoyed good food, fellowship, and “Mimi” punch. We remembered James Bruce throughout the afternoon, but there was a lot more laughter than tears as we shared stories about his life and love.
Throughout the day resurrection hope abounded in:
The lives and laughter of my children and grandchildren
the community of saints in fellowship and worship
the glorious anthems sung by our choir
the kindness of friends with quick hugs & tears.
But by far, my most profound hope-filled moment, came with our pastor’s Easter sermon Resurrection-Reality-Redemption. With his words in 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul defends the bodily resurrection of Jesus as a reality. Paul says the resurrection really happened and if it didn’t, then our faith is useless. “Christ is risen” is not a summation but a proclamation. Christ’s death was an atoning death and with the resurrection God said, “Amen!” Because Christ lives, we do too!
Providentially my study focus over the last 15 months has been on biblical hope. What I thought was preparation for speaking at several women’s events, was actually God’s preparation for James Bruce’s death. I am learning that the same hope-filled principles that I taught just four weeks before James Bruce died (Steadfast Hope in Seasons of Waiting to listen or click here to read ) are just as true for holding onto steadfast hope in this season of suffering and grief. By God’s grace and for His glory, we can:
Face our fears
Feed our souls
Fix our gaze
Ultimately we can hold onto hope because Christ holds onto us. He is our only true hope in life and death. Easter is indeed a holiday of hope. Because Christ lives, we will too!