The message of Easter is not about bunny rabbits, but about Jesus our Lord and His resurrection. This day is all about Jesus and nothing else. Speaking of Jesus, our Lord, He did rise on the third day and appeared unto many people thereafter. We will read about one of these instances where He visited His disciples and breathed upon them the Holy Spirit. It is written, “then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. (John 20:19-22) Just imagine Jesus walking into your room and then breathing onto you the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is for those who believe in Jesus. These gifts of the Spirit are what make us born again.
Some people will never believe in Jesus for they have never seen Him. Thomas felt the same way when he said, “except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25) Thankfully, his opportunity came to see the resurrected Jesus. It is written, “and after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:26-29) One day every person will kneel before Jesus on judgment day. However, it will be too late for those people who live in their false beliefs and sins. There are no second chances. The time is now to receive Jesus! Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that every believer would understand the importance of remembering You on Easter. So many people mix the easter bunny and Gethsemane with the message of the cross and resurrection and it causes people to go astray. The same goes with Christmas, where people celebrate Santa Clause when it should be about Your birth. Lord, I am grateful that there are two official holidays that claim to celebrate Your coming, death on the cross, and resurrection. This does cause more people to go to church during these times of the year than not, and I am happy that some of them also continue to go after these holidays end. But Lord, my hope is that these people come and receive You with all open arms. A church building cannot save us, nor can what we do in a church, but our real relationship with You, Jesus. You have come into my life and put Your light and Spirit in me. I am changed. Thank You for saving a wretch like me. Lead me this day and forever. I want to know You more and to grow more and more in the Spirit daily. Forgive me of my sins and lead me from temptation. I love You, God. Amen.
