A man was blissfully driving along the highway, radio blaring, not a care in the world – when he saw the Easter Bunny hopping across the middle of the road.
He swerved his vehicle to avoid hitting the bunny, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of his car and was hit.
The basket of eggs went flying all over the place. Candy, too. The driver, being a sensitive man as well as a huge animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to see what had become of the bunny carrying the basket. Much to his dismay, the bunny had died.
The driver felt guilty and began to cry.
A woman driving down the same roadway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over and stopped.
She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong. ”I feel terrible,” he explained, ”I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny and killed it. There may not be an Easter because me. What should I do?
”The woman told the man not to worry. She knew exactly what to do.
She went to her car trunk, and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp, dead bunny, and sprayed the entire contents of the can onto the little furry animal.
“Miraculously,” the Easter Bunny came back to life, jumped up, picked up all the spilled eggs and candy, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped on down the road.
About 50 yards away the Easter Bunny stopped, turned around, waved and hopped on down the road about another 50 yards, turned, waved hopped another 50 yards and waved again!!!!
The man was astonished-to say the least!
He couldn’t figure out what could possibly be in that woman’s spray can!!
He said to the woman, ”What in heaven’s name – is in your spray can?”
The woman turned the empty can around so that the man could read the label.
(Get ready!)
It said: ”Hair spray. Restores life to dead hair. Adds permanent wave.”
Our culture is filled with confusion and routinely sends all kinds of mixed signals and messages which cloud the real meaning of the day.
Santa Claus and Christmas – the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs and chocolate rabbits with the Resurrection of Christ –it’s all in good fun many will say…but…
We must be aware that – that is all – some people may ever know. Easter is about the bunny, hiding baskets, candy and fun…
They know absolutely nothing about Jesus, his life, death, ministry or his passion. Who is going to tell them?
The resurrection to new life is completely foreign. It might as well be another language.
The idea that Jesus died for the sins of humanity is all but absent…
They may have heard the name “Jesus” but know absolutely nothing of the Biblical narrative.
Again, who will tell them?
Who will share? Who will teach the children? If they do not get it at home, where do they get it from? If grandpa and grandma do not pass on the faith that is within them – where will they get it from?
It was early that first Easter morning. What little grass grew in that arid climate was moist with the morning’s dew. The cool air of early spring breezed through the blossoming branches of nearby trees. The sun crept slowly over the mountains before spilling its light over the rolling desert hills of Palestine. The “bright morning star” could still be seen in the northern sky-a symbol of hope, a sign that something better loomed on the horizon. But for the small band of women making their way to the tomb of Jesus, hope was in short supply.
Their spirits had been crushed by the same nails that pierced the hands and feet of Jesus. They were discouraged, disheartened, and defeated. And what they wanted more than anything else was to see Jesus one last time, to honor Him by anointing his body with spices and perfumes.
What they found when they got there, was an empty tomb. God had raised Jesus from the dead. Nothing is impossible for our God.
The women were terrified and frightened by the news…but in the light of day – they found a new kind of hope for tomorrow…and for every day after that!
Jesus had risen- indeed! Allelujah.
Will you be the one to pass on the “Good News?” I pray it is so. Amen.