I always have some trouble putting into words my feelings about the Easter Holiday. Most Americans think of it as a time for bunnies and candy, maybe some new clothes to wear to church for the little ones, or just a time for relatives to gather together for a barbecue. They rarely think about all that took place and the sacrifice and price that was paid by our Savior as He hung on that cross, paying for your sins and mine.

In reality, it should be called Thanksgiving Day because we all need to be thankful that the Father loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us. That was Friday and all looked gloomy, but Sunday came and, like He said He would, He arose on the third day. Without the resurrection there was no hope, but now we know because He lives, we can live also. We have a new hope, something to look forward to, because when we take our last breath, it won’t be the end, but the beginning.

We have nothing to fear any longer. I am reminded of the story of the little boy and his father who were driving down a country road when suddenly, out of nowhere, a bumblebee entered through the car window and started buzzing around the child. The young lad being allergic to bee stings, became terrified. The father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hands, and then released it. But as soon as he let it go it started buzzing around the child again, and the father saw the panic-stricken look on his son’s face. Once again he stuck out his hand, but this time he pointed to his hand. There still stuck in his skin was the stinger of the bee. “Do you see this,” he said. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ve taken the sting for you.” And to me, this is the true message of Easter. We do not need to be afraid of death anymore. Christ faced death for us. And by His victory we are saved from our sins. Christ has taken the sting for us. That’s why we can rejoice when we say Christ has risen! He has risen indeed!