Why do we say Happy Easter?

Meet Honey. She has been a part of our little family for almost 2 months. The first time I saw her I thought you will be a lovely companion, it’s just a shame about that under-bite. I looked other dogs to adopt but for various reasons, they were not right. So I reluctantly accepted the RSPCA’s lady suggestion to met Honey outside her pen. Boy, was that the best decision. Her sweet smiley under-bite quickly grew on me. She was a little ‘broken’ – she had a scar baring stomach as a result of her recent surgery removing a corncob from her intestine. She was also fairly underweight, arriving at the RSPCA as a starving and dehydrated stray. I soon fell in love with these imperfections and took her home, knowing (and hoping) Reis would also love her.

It is fair to say she is now our ‘baby’ and fits perfectly within our family. Honey is the most affectionate pup, who longs to please us. She listens intently, keeping eye contact and is quick to learn how to gain our favour. I am certain her eagerness to please is a response to how loved and accepted she feels in our family, especially following her rough background.

In some ways, we’re like Honey too. Imperfect, fearing rejection of others but when we feel completely accepted and loved by a friend, we blossom in that friendship. We respond to their generosity and acceptance by acts and words that show our love and appreciation for them too. It is difficult to resist pursuing a friendship with someone who loves you unconditionally and accepts you with all your faults.

Friendship is a wonderful thing to celebrate and that is why we say ‘Happy Easter’. Friendship brings hope amidst the difficulties of life. At Easter we celebrate the undeserving friendship we can have with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Death was the penalty we deserved for all our actions that are against God’s design for us (sin). God loved the world so much that instead he put his wrath on his perfect son, Jesus. The affects of sin have been defeated in Christ’s death and resurrection just three days later.

‘It is finished’ were the last words Jesus cried as he hung nailed to a cross because no longer do God’s children have to live with the guilt or consequences of our sin. We are fully and completely accepted by God. Like Honey, I am accepted with my imperfections and I can’t help but love my God back!

We have access to friendship with the most powerful force in the universe. Have you ever thought about that? You have a friend in a very high place! So, happy Easter! Rejoice in God’s great love for us displayed in Christ’s death and resurrection. Rejoice in the friendship we can have with him now. Rejoice in the hope we have for eternal life in heaven.