There has been plenty of disheartening and worrisome news lately. The southern border is wide open. China and Iran just signed a huge trade deal. North Korea is firing missiles again. Congressional progressives are plotting tax hikes, more spending and even bigger government.

But on Good Friday, we focus on the perfect Lamb, the truth of scripture, and exactly what it is that we as Christians are celebrating. (And it’s not chocolate bunnies, spiral hams, or marshmallow chicks!)

As a child, when I read the Easter story, there was a part of me that 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 how wrong that thought was.

Christ had to die so that we might have everlasting life. His sacrifice on the cross saved all who believe in Him. As Charles Wesley’s great hymn states: “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me?”

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, we worship a loving God who gave His son to die for us. What a contrast! What a savior!

But Christ did more than just give up His life. He conquered death and rose from the grave. While Christmas tends to overshadow 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.

And 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.

Confidence that sustains us in times of trial and tribulation. Yes, especially in times such as these.

Let us focus on the Good News that on Resurrection Sunday, we do not remember a prophet or a martyr. We worship the risen Son of God!

He is risen! He is risen indeed!