As a child, when I read the Easter story, I wanted a different ending. If only He had come down from the Cross and destroyed His enemies — that would have demonstrated His power. That is what I thought then.

Of course, I soon learned that Christ had to die. He was the perfect lamb, He was the sacrifice for our sins.

He died so that we might have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

While some worship a god who commands men to die for him and to kill others for him, we worship a loving God who gave His only Son to die for us. What a contrast! What a savior!

As Charles Wesley’s great hymn states: “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me?”

But Christ did more than just give up His life. He conquered death. He rose from the grave. While Christmas overshadows most holidays, ultimately it is not a birthday that we celebrate. It is the resurrection.

If Christ had not risen from the grave, He would have been forgotten as a common criminal, a rabble-rouser whose birthday would have no significance.

But with Christ’s resurrection, we have confidence.

Confidence in a caring Creator, rather than the chaos of the cosmos.

Confidence in a glorious future, rather than the finality of the grave.

On Easter morning, Christians do not remember a martyr. We worship the risen Son of God!

Thank God for the Cross and the empty tomb. Thank God for the Good News of Christ’s resurrection.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!