His dying breath has brought me life

I have always appreciated and loved Easter.  The bunnies, the eggs, the chocolate (not so much the pastel colors I feel obligated to wear), the budding trees and so many other things.  How can you not be happy with all of that floating around, pounding you in the face and telling you its a time to be happy? But why am I really happy?  I always knew and what most people know is that this is the day that we celebrate and remember that Jesus died for our sins, and rose again in three days.  That's what I know, that's what I believe, but this year...it's different.

Jesus died on a cross.  Withstood a brutal beating, public humiliation, and feelings of betrayal all for me.  For my sins.  For things I would do 2000 years later.

Pause.

Pause.

That is hard for me to swallow at times.  Why? Why would He do that?

This Easter looks different for me.  Yes, He died for me.  For my sins.  To give me eternal life in Christ.  But this year, my first Easter as a father.  My first Easter as a father who has lost the most beautiful little girl I have ever laid eyes on.  My Easter is different.  If it weren't for Jesus, doing what He did 2000 years ago, for me, I would never be able to meet my baby again.  I would never get to hold her again.  Never get to kiss her, smell her, make her laugh, ever again.  To think that Jesus died on the cross for my baby girl.  So that the sin of the world would not win, but that Jesus, Lord over all creation, would have the victory.  As many songs say, "He has overcome the grave."  And because of Him, my daughter, is not bound to the grave anymore.  He gave His life, so she may live.

So this Easter, thinking and thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for my sins carries a bit more weight.  He is able to do something I will never be able to do.  Protect my daughter.  Give her life.  And knowing one day I will be able to see her again, makes this the best Easter I will have ever experienced.