Did Corona Cancel Easter?

“Corona cancels Easter.”

I was scrolling through some site the other day, and those words caught my eye.

At first my mind went to all the things we’re missing this year.

Dressing my girls up in pretty Easter dresses, and trying to convince my son that athletic pants aren’t appropriate for Sunday service.

Going to church and community egg-hunts, and watching my daughter only pick up the pink eggs.

Attending service with our church family – hugging friends that aren’t usually there, responding in concert when our pastor shouts, “He is risen!”, tearing up as the choir sings out the Hallelujah chorus and my 11 year old gathers enough courage to walk to the chancel to join them.

Taking smiling pictures by the flower cross, Mimi’s bunny cake, and a quiet ride home from Easter dinner with sleeping children in the back.

• 

The corona virus cancelled all of that.

But it did NOT cancel Easter.

NOTHING can cancel Easter.

Nothing can cancel what Jesus did over 2,000 years ago when He died to save us and rose again as He promised.

Nothing can stitch up the veil He tore when He made a way for us to approach the Father – any time, as we are, with our hearts held out.

Nothing can stuff Him back in the tomb.

Nothing can stop His message of hope and freedom and love from going to every corner of the world.

It may not go from mouth to ear, it may travel through a phone or screen or speaker right now, but the Gospel isn’t even a tiny bit halted by quarantine, shelter-in-place or social distancing.

Because Easter isn’t cancelled by corona virus, it’s only magnified.

Right now our need for hope is magnified.

Our need for rest is magnified.

Our need for peace and grace and restoration is magnified.

And THAT is what Easter is.

Not dresses, pink eggs or bunny cakes.

Not even hugs and a Hallalujah chorus.

Easter is knowing, deep in your gut, with your arms raised high and your eyes lifted up, that He is RISEN.

And our home is with Him.

Happy Easter, my friends. The way we celebrate may be different, but the message will always be the same…it is finished.