Celebrating Easter

Why do we celebrate? The reality that Jesus was raised from the dead, that He was victorious over death and sin, is the reason we celebrate. It is that fact that gives us joy despite our conditions and peace, regardless of whatever we may be facing or have faced. What happened on that first Easter day still brings us delight and it still changes lives today. Happy Easter friends and family of Praise. It’s another year and another opportunity for us to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As we read in the Gospel of Matthew, we learn how an angel appeared to the women at the tomb quite early that first Easter morning. The angel told them that Jesus was not there because he had been raised from the dead, exactly as He said! Matthew continues by telling us that the women hurried away from the tomb, filled with joy. Yes, the same joy, we experience today; however, still afraid but with purpose. That’s what the resurrection does, it takes our fear, our worry, our hurt, our sadness. It puts our focus on the resurrected Christ.

Jesus died in our place. It was a part of a divine and ultimate plan to save us, to rescue humanity, from the crushing jaws of hell and the tormenting grip of death. The amazing and miraculous thing is that He did not stay dead, but He rose again on the third day that we might not just have life but abundant life.

The death of Jesus:

• Rearranged us;
• Renewed us;
• Revived us;
• Revised us;
• Restyled us;
• Remodeled us;
• Rebuilt us.

His death reordered us, and now we can live in what the atonement did for us, because He did not stay dead, but He is at the right hand of the Father making intercession for you and me. So today you and I can join with the songwriter and declare, “Because He lives, I can face today…”

Now that we know the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we should also expect to share in His suffering, because if we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. My friends, resurrection life is no walk in the park; so let us live in the power of His resurrection!

2 Timothy 2:12

Easter season 2026 at Praise Cathedral

• Good Friday service: Friday April 3 at 9:00 a.m.
• Resurrection Sunday: Sunday April 5 at 11:00 a.m.

YouTube Live webcasts

See you on-line for Sunday services at 11:00 a.m., and weekly Wednesday Bible Study at 8:00 p.m.

Easter image photographed by Bob Delaney