The difference Easter makes
I’ve told people that Nebraska doesn’t have Spring. We have Winter that slides into Summer. Spring is slowly warming days, sweet breezes and gentle rains. Not a lot of days like that here. What we have are a few warm days to tease followed by howling winds, snow, even blizzards into April, even into May. Winter doesn’t like letting go. We turn on AC during warm days only to click the controls back to heat.
One day when Summer is around the corner, when we aren’t paying attention, temperatures soar, the trees burst into new green leaves, and flowers seem to zoom through the soil and open into a myriad of colors and scents. We groan as grass waves. Lawn mowing is back on the weekly schedule. All around us is life, new, fresh, exhilarating.
Spring isn’t only about the tug of war between the cold and darkness of Winter and the light and life of Spring. Spring is the celebration of the ultimate war of light and darkness. Just as Winter doesn’t want to let go, so death sought to stop the light and hope from bursting into our world. His name is Jesus. Long foretold, He came as a baby in the manger to make a difference in our world. And He did. He grew up reaching out with the gospel message of new life and salvation in Him. He cared. He reached out. He helped the hurting and healed the sick.
But the religious leaders of the day hated Him for he uncovered their corruption and arrogance. The people followed Jesus because He showed His love for them. But that didn’t last. Jesus was betrayed, beaten, tortured and hung on a cross—the very worst ways a person could die. Yet, in His agony He loved us. Why did Jesus allow this? As foretold, He came to die, Came to take our place for the consequences of the bad, even horrible, choices we’ve made. He offered what no one else could—forgiveness.
No one can claim perfection, but Jesus can. When He burst forth from the sepulcher alive, very much alive, He banished the darkness, the Winter of our lives. He brought the new life of Spring. He died that we might live when we follow Him.
Our Winters may continue to fight with letting go, but in Christ, the war of light and darkness is over. Darkness has given way to new life and light. Easter isn’t about the Easter bunny, eggs or lots of candy, it’s about the Savior who loved us enough to come into our world and offer hope.
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”
May you come to know His love and hope this Easter.
© 2025 Carolyn R Scheidies
Published in Kearney Hub 4/10/2025 as Easter makes a difference
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