The Victory of Easter

By Bro Willy Nakar, Elim Founder

Happy Easter, everyone!

There is an important message for us today: Death and darkness could not prevent the victory of Jesus our Savior. As He rose from the grave, He defeated the ultimate enemy, which is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 tells us, “the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” By Jesus' resurrection, He has destroyed that enemy for us.

Among the many beautiful messages of Easter, the one most relevant for us today is victory—the ability to overcome and to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our Perception of Reality

In John 20:11, we see Mary weeping outside the tomb of Jesus. At that point, all she knew was that Jesus had been crucified and had died. There she was, mourning His death. Sometimes, like Mary, we are overcome by our own perception of reality. We only see our immediate situation. When the world is in the midst of struggle—whether it be economic hardship, the threat of conflict, or personal loss—we are like Mary, weeping.

But what Mary didn’t know at the time was that Jesus had already risen. He was no longer inside the tomb. She was crying outside when, in fact, a miracle had already transpired within.

She did not realize that Jesus was already alive; she didn't know the miracle had occurred. Instead, she remained trapped in her grief. If only she would take the next step and look inside.

Recognizing the Hand of the Lord

Eventually, Mary bent over and looked into the tomb. But even then, she didn’t recognize Jesus. John 20:14 tells us, “Mary turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus.” When we are overcome by our own sorrows and sufferings, it can be hard to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives.

Because of extreme hardship, we tend to focus only on the loss and the pain. Because our eyes are full of tears, our vision becomes blurred, and we struggle to see the blessings of God surrounding us—blessings like the food He provides daily, the kindness of others, and the peace of God in our hearts. Sometimes, we fail to fully appreciate the Lord's constant care for us in the midst of life's trials. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Finding the Miracle in the Midst of Difficulty

Even when the world feels uncertain, we can choose to look at the positive things happening despite the surrounding crisis. We see people turning back to faith and praying every single day. We see communities coming together, with neighbors looking out for one another and offering a helping hand to those in need.

Families are finding ways to bond and support each other through the pressures of life. Everywhere you look, you can sense a triumph of the human spirit. We see the sacrificial work of those who serve others and the quiet acts of kindness that often go unnoticed. Generosity and goodness still abound. This is the Spirit of God at work. This is the kind of miracle that we must acknowledge.

He Calls Your Name

Finally, in John 20:16, it says, “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher).” It was only when He spoke her name that her eyes were truly opened.

Today, Jesus calls your name, too. He knows you personally. Whether your name is Willie, Joy, Noah, or any other—whatever name you carry, Jesus is calling you. Just close your eyes for a moment and listen to Him in your heart. Hear Him call your name.

Let this Easter season be a time of God's visitation for us. Let us recognize the miracles going on around us. Jesus has risen from the dead! He has conquered sin and brought us salvation. Together, let us rejoice and be grateful. As Saint Augustine said,

“We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!”

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this opportunity to encounter You and one another as we recall the beautiful story of the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grant, O Lord God, that everyone may be able to internalize the message of Your sacrifice. May everyone be blessed as a result of this encounter with You and with one another.

This we pray in Jesus' mighty name, Amen.