Easter weaves a powerful yarn

Easter’s story opens with a triumphal entry. The Savior on a donkey. A crowd welcomes its King. Cloaks and palm branches for a road. “Hosanna in the highest!”

Easter switches scenes to a final supper. Jesus shocking the disciples with His talk of being betrayed. Bread is broken. A cup consumed.

Easter ascends the heights of the Mount of Olives. It overlooks Jerusalem where the rest of the story will play out. A disciple is told that he will deny the Christ. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.”

Easter’s tale steps into the Garden of Gethsemane, where the Savior is praying for the cup to be taken from Him. Sleeping disciples. The Son of Man betrayed with a kiss. An arrest.

Easter winds its way inside the city walls. Twice denied before a rooster crows. The betrayer hangs himself. A nervous governor succumbs to the mob. “Crucify Him!” Hands washed. The Messiah is scourged, mocked.

Easter carries a cross along ancient, stony streets. Via Dolorosa. Golgotha. Nails pounded into the Lamb of God’s hands and feet. Three hours of darkness, of incalculable suffering. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

Easter somberly trods to the garden tomb. Jesus’ body is placed inside. A stone is rolled in front of it. Guards stand sentry. Disciples mourn.

But Easter isn’t trapped inside a cold, dark tomb. It continues with an earthquake. An angel rolls away the stone. Guards tremble with fear. The risen Christ greets the women at the tomb.

Easter is resurrection, both of a Savior and of the people He came to save.

Easter isn’t an ages-old tale found on the crumbling pages of an ancient book. Easter knows nothing of bunnies, baby chicks, baskets, bonnets, colorful eggs or tasty jelly beans.

Easter hasn’t lost its luster. Its hopeful message and redemptive power resonate resoundingly into the digital age.

Easter is about an unfathomable gift, love, forgiveness, grace, redemption and salvation.

Easter saturates the earth with hope.

Easter’s all for the taking. Easter’s 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

It can be found in the time it takes to fall to your knees.

In the space between tightly clasped fingers and hands.

Between the lines of a tearful prayer.

In every corner of a renewed soul.

Easter stands at the door and knocks.

Will you answer?