Orchid Exhibit MN Landscape Arboretum

A cross stands at the center of Easter. The cross was a brutal,  inhumane source of suffering and humiliation  designed to create fear. As we have walked through Holy Week we remembered that Jesus died at the hands of religious  leaders  who thought they were doing right.   He died through the actions of  those who believed Jesus was corrupting the values of their people. Then, he was put on a cross to humiliate,  shame,  create suffering and to warn others not to become like him. Good Friday came and Jesus died. Evil seemed to win. Some slept certain they had finally gotten rid of a trouble maker.

But, God’s plans are not so easily thwarted or God’s intentions defeated. On Easter God’s answer was given. Death was defeated. Sin was overcome. Evil was crushed. And hope – even in the face of injustice, cruelty and inhumanity was born.

This Easter may find you troubled. You may be struggling with difficulties. There may be  unfairness or injustice in your life.   I have no easy answers, but I do know that the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead  is still a God of resurrection. Witnesses have proclaimed this truth for two thousand years. In God’s providence, Easter always follows Good Friday.  Life always follows death. Spring inevitably follows winter. New life is God’s gift to you. Rejoice! Our God is making all things new!