Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026

“Our Choice”

Can you believe it? It really happened!!

Many unbelievable things have taken place throughout history. Scientists, archaeologists, and scholars continue to uncover evidence that confirms events once thought uncertain. At the same time, there are still moments that stretch beyond what we can fully explain.  The resurrection of Jesus is one of those moments!

For some, the resurrection is difficult to accept because it cannot be easily proven in physical or measurable ways. Resurrection is not something we encounter in everyday life. We cannot replay it, record it, or analyze it the way we do other events.  Even if we could, many would still blame it on AI or some other sleight of hand.

The resurrection stands at the center of our faith.  The Old and New Testaments describe multiple accounts of God bringing life where there was once death. Still, the resurrection of Jesus continues to challenge those who seek certainty through evidence alone.  But here is the truth. God does not wait for our belief to begin blessing us. 

The same rain falls on all people. God’s love is not limited to those who fully understand or fully believe.  In fact, God continues to reach toward those who question, those who doubt, and those who are still searching. Sometimes that gentle persistence leads a person to become curious, to begin asking questions, and to take a step toward faith.

If you have been part of these Lenten devotions, thank you. Thank you for your time, your attention, and your encouragement. Your faith has been a blessing, not only in your own life, but in the lives of others.

Faith, in the end, involves a choice.  Even if we had a perfect recording of the resurrection, there would still be those who would not believe. That is something we must accept. 

We cannot believe on behalf of someone else.  But we can choose what we believe.  We believe in the resurrection because we choose to trust in what God has done. Over these past forty-six days, we have taken time to reflect, to grow, and to listen more closely.  Now, Easter has arrived.  Not simply as a moment to pause, but as a moment to respond.  

Today, we celebrate not only that Christ is risen, but that we are invited to live differently because of it.  We are given a choice.  A choice to love God.  A choice to love one another.  A choice to live in the light of what God has done.  And that is more than enough reason to celebrate! 

“He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said.”  (Matthew 28:6, NRSVue)