As Resurrection Sunday comes into view, I'm reminded of a year most recent when the world was closed, and I wrote this devotional I'd like to share with you . . .

"2020: The Year Without An Easter"
As a child growing up in Cleveland, Ohio USA, I waited with proud expectation for Easter.  Not because of the biblical prospects, ideas, or possibilities.  But because that was the day I would be able to wear (and show off) my brand new clothes and shiny new shoes.  That was the day I would stroll down the street and around the corner, march up the stairs (so people could hear that I had arrived), glide into the sanctuary, ever so slowly find a seat (up front), and sit down (ever more slowly).  Ahhh, yes!  Year after year I waited with a sure and certain hope . . . for Easter.

 But one year a strange thing happened: I reached the age of 13.  And it seems that somewhere in the ungodly pages of the Rules and Regulations for Raising Large Families, 13 really was an unlucky number.  It was the age that put a stop to many childhood pleasures. Like new Easter clothes.  Oh, maybe I would get a shirt and/or a tie, but how could I prance around- I mean, how could I go to church without the whole outfit?  How could I stand out?  Who would have the silent, passionate desire to walk with me?  OMGosh! Who would even notice me?  Easter, as I had known it, was no more.

This year (2020) America, and indeed, the whole world is at war with an “age 13” of our own.  A coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is on the attack, and threatening our very way of life.  Schools and universities are closed, many, many businesses have been closed, shops and plants have been closed, sports and entertainment events have been cancelled or postponed, most shopping malls, plazas, and department stores are closed, restaurants and eateries are closed or doing drive-up and deliveries only, and churches . . . since most gatherings are prohibited because of this highly contagious disease, even churches are closed.  And Resurrection Sunday is on the horizon.  Truly, my friends, this is a year unlike any other year.  This is the year . . . without an Easter.

Or is it?

Luke 24:1-8 tells us:
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered His words.”

 This Easter season the world is filled with people who are worried, who are frightened, filled with doubt, and void of hope.  Indeed, these are scary times.  These are testing times.  These are trying times.  Maybe today looks like it may be worse than yesterday, and the forecast for tomorrow is unsure.  Maybe in your “physically-distant” time alone you’ve found it hard to feel the Lord’s presence or hear His voice.  Or maybe as you watch the daily news reports, you’ve experienced a temporary sense of panic. 

 Well, like the women at the tomb, maybe you could use a sparkle of hope- a word of reassurance- that can get you to verse 8 of our Scripture.  So here it is:

Remember, when the women got to the tomb, they found the stone rolled away from the entrance, and the body of Jesus missing.  And in their panic and wonder, they saw two men suddenly appear and gently chastise them saying, (paraphrased) “What are you doing looking for the living among the dead? He’s not here. He’s Alive! He already told you about all this. Did you forget? (verse 8) Then they remembered.”    

 Now unlike those women, we don’t have the evidence in the tomb today, nor the two messengers outside the tomb. But we are Easter people.  And as Easter people, we do have the testimony of those women written down and shared here, in the Word of God, for the people of God.  And as Easter people, we have the Holy Spirit, a Comforter for times such as this.  And more than that, as Easter people, we have the Risen Christ Himself.  Paul tells us, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)

 So let’s celebrate Easter 2020 separately together!

Let’s celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ, knowing and showing that He is alive in us!  Let’s celebrate Resurrection Sunday, separately together, with the joy and excitement we’ve always had! Let’s celebrate separately together!

 2020: The year without an Easter? God said, “NOT SO!”  In some shape or form, since the morning those women arrived at His empty tomb, there has always been a Resurrection Celebration.  And this year is no exception! 

Hallelujah!  He Is Alive!!