He is Risen, Hallelujah!

Easter is about the One who entered history, lived the exemplary life, died on behalf of those who struggle, those who are weak, those who miss the mark, those who fall short of God's glory -- all of us --, and then rose again on the third day.

Christ's resurrection marks the Father's vindication of his message and his Person. It marks the ultimate defeat of evil -- it's just a matter of time, and, because heaven's Finest stooped down and smashed open the door into heaven, the way to heaven has been opened to all of us, unworthy as we are, who believe.

When Christ was resurrected, he did not appear to those who mocked him, those who opposed him, those who crucified him. He didn't appear to them to show off, to rub his resurrection and lordship in their faces. They were left, empty and bereft, in the misplaced certainties of their smug arrogance. He consigned them to the unbelief they had chosen.

Rather, he showed himself to those whom he chose -- his disciples, male and female, those who had placed their hope in him, a hope which had been dashed to bits by the crucifixion.

Within a few weeks they would be preaching the resurrection, right in Jerusalem, where his crucifixion took place, among people who were familiar with the events that had transpired, and where his empty tomb could be examined. Within a few years, one of his chief opponents, Saul of Tarsus, would become his most earnest follower. Within a decade or two, the Lord's brother James, who did not believe in Jesus during Jesus' earthly life, would be the leader of the church at Jerusalem. Within four centuries, this faith would conquer the Empire which had crucified its Leader.

What turned James from a doubter to a believer in Jesus? What turned the Apostle Paul from a persecutor to a worshipper? What turned the disciples from a disheartened, cowering bunch of defeated and washed-up followers into fearless, empowered witnesses? And what made the apostles willing to a man to suffer death rather than deny Christ?

The Resurrection. Count on it.

The defeat and despair of Good Friday gave way to the victory and rejoicing of Easter. At Easter, things started looking up, started getting better. Hope dawned. And it is a hope which will never be extinguished. Things started looking up at Easter, and they've never stopped looking up, despite the vicissitudes of life and history.

Count your blessings this Easter.

And may the risen Lord, the One who will surely come again in like manner as he left us, be with you.

That's the way the Ball bounces.