This week’s devotions are based on this week’s message: Shadows: A Glimpse of a Savior! (WATCH HERE)
“Hey Peter and John. We just were at the tomb and Jesus isn’t there.”
“What? You have to be joking?”
Off they ran to see if the report was true. Sure, enough the tomb was empty. Where did he go?
Mary went back shortly after and saw someone near the tomb. She thought it was the gardener. “Where did you put him?” she asked?
What if the “gardener” would have replied, “April Fools!” And directed Mary to the body of Jesus?
At first, Easter morning and perhaps other elements of Holy Week seem like a practical joke.
You would think things that happened would be stopped with a simple, “Ha! April Fool’s Day!”
Things like…
“We know Jesus is innocent, but we’re going to crucify him anyway.” (Ha, April Fool’s Day!)
“Hey, go to the temple, the big curtain just tore in two.” (Ha, April Fool’s Day!)
“Today you will be with me in paradise!” (Jesus to the thief on the cross) (Ha, April Fool’s Day!)
Each one of these phrases in the moment are believable…but seem so far out that one might have a tinge of doubt…is all of this a big joke?
Today is April Fool’s Day.
Did you know there is a potential connection between Easter and April Fool’s Day? No foolin’! A post on Britannica.com states:
Some have proposed that the modern custom originated in France, officially with the Edict of Roussillon (promulgated in August 1564), in which Charles IX decreed that the new year would no longer begin on Easter, as had been common throughout Christendom, but rather on January 1. Because Easter was a lunar and therefore moveable date, those who clung to the old ways were the “April Fools.” Others have suggested that the timing of the day may be related to the vernal equinox (March 21), a time when people are fooled by sudden changes in the weather. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/April-Fools-Day)
Whatever the origin of April Fools Day, there is no joke about the message of the cross and the empty tomb. The Gospels were not fiction, but fact. What happened wasn’t just a cruel joke on Jesus and/or his followers, but it was the power of God at work to assure us that our relationship with God is restored.
However, we must admit. Sometimes this whole thing might sound like foolishness. God coming to this earth to die on a Roman cross and then rising again giving us access to God and the promise of eternal life? Are you joking? Nope. Not at all.
Ironically, since the event happened people have found it foolish and questioned how anyone in their right mind could believe and follow Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote,
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. … 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. … 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
So, I guess if we are to be found a fool by the world around us the day after Easter for believing the truth about Easter…I guess that’s good. A blessed Easter to you…and with the meaning of 1 Corinthians 1, Happy April Fool’s Day!
Apply: What part of the Easter story seems hard to believe? What impact does the entire truth and reality of Easter have on you?
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for doing all you did for us and proving it complete by your resurrection from the dead. To many, your work seems foolish. To me it’s the greatest gift one could ever receive. Thank you! AMEN.