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I was living up North several years ago when I first heard the phrase, "He Is Risen; He Is Risen Indeed!" The pastor loved to say the first part, He Is Risen, and wait with a big smile on his face for the congregation to finish the statement. (He Is Risen Indeed.) This was a favorite ritual every Easter Sunday morning.

Why did the pastor like saying it? I guess He knew it would fit with the sermon that day. He was sort of priming the pump, so to speak, for what was to come. Then a wonderfully, well organized, properly prepared sermon on the death and resurrection of Christ would soon follow. Previous to this were three or four songs from the hymnal such as He Lives, He Arose, At Calvary, and At The Cross. It was the only Sunday we would sing these songs, so sing we did. We sang loudly and with a lot of heart.

I remember as a child that everyone wore fancy clothes on that day. It was the only Sunday that all the kids had new white shoes and pretty hats. Some of the girls even wore white gloves. Several of the moms and dads had a flower on their suits or dresses. An excitement was in the atmosphere. We knew an Easter egg hunt for all the children would begin after the service. There would be lots of beautifully colored hard boiled eggs, jelly beans inside plastic eggs, hard candy coated marshmallow eggs, and a very special large chocolate covered candy egg. At home I had a wonderful Easter basket filled with lots of candy and gum waiting for me too.

It marked the coming of spring. Pastel colors were everywhere. Flowers were blooming and the air was much warmer than a few weeks ago. It was such a happy time.

Now, I am older and I know Easter Sunday in a much different way. I now realize Easter is about death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus the Son of God was born so that one day He would die. He chose to become the sacrifice for your sins and mine.

The Bible says,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." (Romans 3:23 NIV).

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23 NIV).

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9 NIV).

It's so wonderful. By faith we simply believe in the great price that was paid for us. We sinned, Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins, and on the third day rose from the grave. He is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us.

He paid a very high price. He gave His life. He suffered so that we can live forever with God. If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. There is no condemnation for the things we have done. And with each mistake we now make, forgiveness is still ours to receive.

The tomb where Jesus was buried and from where He rose was left empty. Only the grave clothes were left behind. Because of His great love for us, and the power of God living in us, we too will one day be caught up with Him in the air.

"After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever" (1 Thessalonians 4: 17).

Jesus is coming again for those of us who have asked Him to forgive us our sins. We are waiting for that day when the heavens will open and we will meet Him in the skies.

So you see, Easter isn't at all about Easter baskets full of candy, pretty clothes, or spring flowers. It's about an empty tomb. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!