Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and people will be attending church, hiding eggs, and enjoying dinner with family and friends.

Commercialism has taken over what used to be the most sacred of holidays. Shoppers scurry about trying to find the perfect Easter outfit, baskets, bonnets, and bunnies for the kids; and the holiday feast, piles of candy, ham and yams, and an over abundance of sugar drowned southern desserts. It’s fun and it provides busy families time to spend together.

It’s nice to get together, to visit with family, and fun to watch the children search for hidden eggs and prizes, but there is much more to Easter.

Underlying all of this pomp and circumstance is the real treasure of Easter. It is a very simple story. Many years ago, God sent his only son to die on the cross, so that we as humans could be saved from our sins.

Now if the story had ended with the crucifixion, we mortals would have been blessed beyond measure. But it did not end there because Jesus rose from the dead in the final triumph over death. Without this one event we would not have the hope of a life hereafter, a life without earthly burdens, a new life in a new body for all times.

Our logical brains might tell us this story couldn’t possibly be true. People don’t come back from the dead. It doesn’t make sense for several reasons. Why would a man sacrifice his own son for someone else? Why would a man be willing to suffer such atrocities and meet death for a group of strangers? If you use your logical brain this is what you might be thinking. That is where faith comes in. We have a creator who knew we were flawed and loved us so much; he devised a plan to redeem us from our sins and shortcomings. It is a love much too deep to fathom.

During all the fun to be had on Easter, be sure to make time for the one who is responsible for the holiday. Attend the church of your choice and wrap your mind around the great love God has for his children.