There is a song which begins ‘What a difference a day makes’. How true that was for the disciples that first Easter. During Holy Week we follow Jesus from entering Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowds, through His arrest, trial, crucifixion and death, to the glory of Easter morning when He rose again. Such defeat, sorrow and joy all in one week. At the crucifixion, Jesus’ followers were overcome with fear and despair. But days later, their grief had turned to joy. The resurrection made all the difference.

Easter brings together themes of love, joy, peace and hope. On the cross we see the supreme act of love as Jesus laid down His life. At the resurrection comes amazing joy that Jesus is alive. The risen Jesus met with His disciples and spoke peace into their troubled hearts. And with the resurrection comes hope; hope for today and hope for the future. There is the saying ‘where there’s life there’s hope’, but I prefer to say ‘where there’s Christ there’s hope’, for Jesus defeated even death so that we could share eternity with Him.

As we celebrate Easter, may we know the presence of the risen Christ with us. In troubled times and in joy, we have hope, for the resurrection makes all the difference.