By Rev. Robert “Bob” Fruge’

Americans have marginalized the role of Jesus in the major Christian holidays. To many, Christmas is more about giving and receiving gifts than the birth of the Savior, and Easter is now centered on baskets and candy. Santa and the Easter Bunny have become the central figures of these holidays, but the truth is that neither holiday would exist without Jesus. He is the reason we celebrate both Christmas and Easter.

We call the Friday before Easter Good Friday, but nothing that happened to Jesus on that day could be called good. He was taunted, mocked, spat upon, scourged, and crucified. Three days later He arose and is now seated at the right hand of God.

The first 10 verses of the twentieth chapter of John tell of Peter and John running to the tomb because they had been told the body of Jesus had been stolen. John was younger than Peter, and he arrived at the tomb first. The following is my version of an article I read many years ago. It is something that could have happened.

John and Peter running to the tomb

John tells Peter, “I am going to run ahead and see if what we have been told is true. Your age will keep you from keeping up with me.”

John arrived at the tomb first but did not enter; he stooped down and looked in and saw the burial clothes.

When Peter got there, he did not stop but went into the tomb. As he passed John, he said, “That’s the trouble with you young folks, you never finish anything.”

When Peter came out of the tomb, he appeared to be happy and excited, and John asked why. Peter said, “John, the napkin that covered His head was folded.” John asked, “So what?”

Peter said, “John remember when we were dining at Bartholomew’s? When a guest left the table and simply threw his napkin on the table, the servants cleaned the place setting. When Bartholomew left the table, he neatly folded his napkin, and the servants left everything in place because they knew he was coming back. The folded napkin tells us Jesus is coming back.”

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That is the central message of Easter. Not only did Jesus die to pay our sin debt, but He promised that one day He would return for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior. When people look at the state of the world today, Christians know that the Lord’s return is imminent.

Easter emphasizes the difference between Christianity and many other religions. We do not have to die for our God; He died for us. Not only did He die for us, but He provided the gift of eternal life to anyone who would accept it. Salvation is free; it cannot be earned.

Easter is God’s ultimate display of unconditional love for the people and the world He created. This love is clearly stated in John 3: 16 -17; “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

This Easter may your life be filled with the joy, happiness, and the love of God.

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Rev. Robert “Bob” Fruge’ is pastor of Grand Lake Community Church, 954 Highway 384 in Lake Charles. Contact the church ofice at 337-905-8000.