Fuzzy on What Happened?

Luke 24:1-12

Image by Alicja from Pixabay

What do YOU think happened on that Easter day so very long ago?

Most of us will answer that question with a common reply: “Christ arose!” That’s how we Christians always begin our Easter services, with the words, “Christ is risen!” We sing the hymn, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” And that certainly is the focal point of our Easter celebration.

But there is more to the story, and we might be a bit fuzzy on that.

Easter is about the day God spoke up for the dead…and those who live in death’s shadow! Death takes on a variety of disguises—not just crucifixion or injustice, but cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, depression. Death rears its ugly head in the stripping away of people’s dignity, the denial of human rights, abuse, the nasty way we treat each other; racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender prejudice; economic injustice, selfishness and greed, the total disregard of the gift of Creation, the stigmatization of those with mental illness, the differently abled, the food insecure, the homeless population. Death is everywhere and God demonstrated that good will conquer evil!

Easter is the day God had the last word over death…the death of Jesus, the death of those murdered in the Holocaust, the death of 168 innocent people 30 years ago in Oklahoma City, and the death of all of us whenever the power of death sweeps over us and robs us of life.

What happened that day long ago is the living promise that God cares about you, and me, and ALL those whose lives are touched in this world by the powers of evil—whatever it may be. 

So, receive Easter’s promise for yourself. And then go and share it with others…that good will triumph over evil, right over wrong, and life over death…go to work in the world being the voice of the poor, the champion of the neglected, the friend of the lonely.

Receive Easter as the gift it is and then go share the gift with the world.

CHRIST IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA

Rev. Dr. Debi Powell-Maxwell

4/20/2025