For April 5, 2026
Easter stands at the center of the Christian faith—the moment when sorrow gave way to joy, when death was conquered, and when the hope of eternal life was secured through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 54–57).
In the early morning hours, while the world was still shrouded in darkness, the first witnesses came to the tomb expecting to mourn their beloved Teacher (John 20:1). Instead, they encountered an empty grave and the inconceivable message:
“He is not here; He is risen!” (Luke 24:6; Matthew 28:6)
Fear, confusion, and wonder filled their hearts as the reality of the risen Lord began to unfold.
From that moment forward, everything changed. The risen Christ revealed Himself to His followers—not as a distant memory, but as the living God and Savior (John 20:14–16, 19–20). He called them by name, walked with them, taught them, and opened their understanding. Their doubt was transformed into faith, their fear into boldness, and their despair into unshakable hope (Luke 24:27, 32, 45; John 20:19–21, 27–28).
This same risen King now calls us to live in the light of His victory.
Because Easter is not merely a celebrated day to remember, but a truth to embrace—a living reality that shapes how we think, live, and believe. Because He lives, we are no longer bound by sin, defined by our past, or without hope for the future.
As we reflect on the empty tomb, we are reminded that we serve a Savior who keeps His promises. The One who rose from the grave has also promised to return (Acts 1:9–11).
Thus, we live as a people set apart—watching, waiting, and preparing our hearts as we anticipate the glorious appearing of our Lord and King. Especially in light of the unrest in the Middle East.
Jesus is coming, and very soon!
While reading Leviticus 20:26: “You shall be holy to Me, for I, the LORD, am holy, and have separated you from the peoples to be Mine,” I was reminded of our Lord’s command in Matthew 5:48: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Some challenge the idea of Christian holy living by pointing to examples of moral failure, while others excuse themselves by saying, “Nobody’s perfect.” Those who reject the call to holiness fail to realize that it is our eternal God and risen Savior who commands us—whether we choose to accept His authority or not.
When someone says, “I’m not a pedophile, a rapist, a murderer, or a drug dealer—so I’m not a bad person,” it reveals a flawed way of thinking about sin. it usually suggests that somehow sin is measured on a “sliding scale,” and that “our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds.” But Scripture teaches that sin isn’t graded on a curve. Sin separates us from God, and no amount of good works can outweigh it.
It also leans on the false notion that our good deeds can somehow outweigh or cancel out our failures. But, this reasoning collapses in the face of Jesus Christ, our perfect and holy standard.
Our righteousness, compared to His, is utterly void—even on our best day. We have a sin problem that yields a sobering reality: apart from Christ, we face eternal separation from God.
Yet God, in His great love, has made a way. Through His Spirit, He draws us to humbly and sincerely seek the only remedy—grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4–7)
His Spirit within us creates a growing desire for His mercy and sustaining power, enabling us to live for Christ daily. This new, Spirit-led life flows from genuine faith in Christ alone. It transforms us from the inside out and makes us acceptable to God despite our human weakness.
In His perfection, God also provides every spiritual resource we need to be conformed to the image of Christ. As the Apostle John reminds us, when we see Him in glory, “we shall be like Him.” (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2).
What an incredible privilege and responsibility we have. Not only do we bear the name of Christ as Christians, but we also reveal Him to others through our thoughts, words, and actions.
Jesus lives today—and His people can share His amazing love and righteousness with the world!
As we prepare for Easter and look beyond, let us remember that we are called to be God’s holy people—set apart for Him and destined to share eternity in His presence. May we faithfully reflect the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to a world in need, as we watch, wait, and prepare for His promised return.
May this Easter also serve to renew our faith, strengthen our witness, and deepen our longing for the day when we will see Him face to face. Won’t you receive Him today?
What a Wonderful Savior!