Dear Edgeboro Friends & Family,

“The Lord is Risen! The Lord is Risen, Indeed!”

We proclaimed these words on Easter Sunday, but these words do not have to be reserved for one day a year. The season of Easter, or Eastertide, lasts 50 days beginning on Easter Sunday (April 4) and ending on Pentecost (May 23). In Biblical terms, Eastertide spans the time from Christ’s resurrection, through his various appearances and his ascension into heaven, to the Holy Spirit’s fiery arrival described in the book of Acts. So yes, it is still Easter, but how is it still Easter for you? Where is Easter in your life now?

As we think about how elements of Easter are prevalent in our lives now, we might first try to think of joy and excitement. That’s absolutely part of Easter. We can find that in the way we worship on Easter every year. We can find that in the gospel of John when Mary shouted, “Rabbouni!” when she first recognized Jesus outside of the tomb, or when Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and My God!” when he finally saw Jesus alive again with his own two eyes. Easter could very well be found in the joy and excitement in your life right now.

But what if joy and excitement aren’t the overwhelming feelings in your life right now? Does that mean Easter isn’t there? Instead of thinking that Easter is absent, let’s remember that Easter spans a whole range of emotions and events.

Fear is a part of Easter in the gospel of Mark when the women run away from the empty tomb and (supposedly) tell no one.

Confusion is a part of Easter in the gospel of Luke when the disciples are doubting everything Jesus taught them and can’t believe their eyes when they see Jesus teaching them and breaking bread with them once again during and after their travels to Emmaus.

Anxiety is a part of Easter in the gospels of Luke and John when the disciples are worried about if they are safe from being arrested like Jesus, not having any idea about what their lives will look like, and wondering why Jesus would have them wait so long between his appearances to give them further instruction.

Grief is a part of Easter in all of the gospels. Everyone feels it from Jesus’ death. No one is thinking clearly. Everyone is operating from that headspace as a default, which is probably why it takes so much evidence from Jesus to show everyone that he was, in fact, resurrected.

How is it still Easter for you? Easter could be paired with your joy and excitement, and it could also be paired with your fear, confusion, anxiety, and grief. As Christians, we know that there is no Easter without Christ. Therefore, let us have faith that Christ is exactly where Easter is in our lives right now to bring about restoration, change, new life, care, hope, and opportunity. As you continue to identify Easter in the different areas of your life during Eastertide, may evidence of our Risen Lord become more and more apparent to you, so much so that you can continue to proclaim that, “The Lord is Risen, Indeed!’

Finding Easter with You All,
Pastor Dan