A thought for Easter

Today dawned beautifully where we live (in North Carolina). The Bradford Pear tree outside my office window is in full bloom. Further out into the yard, the forsythia is still bright yellow, as are the daffodils in the woods. We have a huge Japanese cherry tree back by the fence that's in full bloom, and another cherry tree just to its left that will be blooming by tomorrow. Off to the left, our two peach trees are loaded with blossoms.

Just to prove what I'm saying, here's a quick picture:


So what does this have to do with Easter? Or, for that matter, with Gatlinburg?

Just this. We've had a hard winter - more snow than I can remember in our 10 years of living here. And it's been even worse in Gatlinburg. We actually had two guests who had to hike in to Smoky Mountain Tower because their car couldn't get up the road!

But my yard - and pictures I've seen of Gatlinburg - are evidence that Spring is here. Those dead-looking trees are now a gorgeous splash of color. Life is returning.

I think that's God's way of showing us - again - the importance of resurrection. We know that Jesus died. We know He was buried. That's true of all men who have ever lived. But only One Man who has died is now alive forever, because God raised Him from the dead! Just as Spring follows Winter, Christ rose from the dead!

This morning in our Sunday School, we were listening to the boys and girls say their memory verses (we do this every week). One little 4-year-old boy, Isaiah, patiently waited his turn. When he was finally called on, he practically screamed his verse: "HE IS NOT HERE! HE IS RISEN!" (You can read it for yourself in Luke 24:6.)

Isaiah gets it! He was excited, as well we all should be. Spring is here! Jesus is risen!