He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
Matthew 28:6

Happy Easter, dear readers! Easter is my favorite day of the year. Joy fills my heart as I wake up thinking, “He is Risen!” I pray that you, too, are filled with joy knowing Jesus is alive and seated at God’s right hand, interceding for us (Romans 8:34).

The beauty of springtime adds to my delight as all creation reawakens and joins the chorus of praise to our Creator. Bright green leaves, colorful flowers, baby birds – signs of new life that remind us of our new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Thus, I will let Scripture and a few photos do most of the talking in this post, a tribute to our Risen Savior. (Please note: the added emphasis in the passages is mine.)

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words (Luke 24:1-8 ESV).

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words (1Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV).

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:1-5 ESV).

God promised to send a Savior (Genesis 3:15) and He did (John 3:16).

Jesus promised to return and take us to be with Him (John 14:3). He will.

Because God always keeps His promises. Therein lies our hope. Let us remember His words and encourage one another with them.