Sitting in the church during Good Friday service, the sadness of the day weighed on me. But then, my pastor said something interesting. “Thank God for Good Friday,” he said, “because Easter is on the way.”
His statement lingered in my mind, sparking a personal reflection. What did Easter truly mean to me? The answer came swiftly – Hope. Easter, the day Jesus Christ rose from the grave, isn’t just a commemoration. It is a powerful symbol, a symbol of hope in the darkness.
A story I read a long time ago came to mind. There were three trees growing on a hillside, each with hopes and dreams. The first tree dreamt of being a beautiful treasure chest, filled with precious gems and gold. The second tree dreamt of becoming a huge sailing ship and wanted to carry royalty across the oceans. The third tree wanted to become the tallest tree in the world and touch heaven.
After a few years of praying their dreams would come true, a group of woodcutters came upon the trees. The first tree was chopped down and fashioned into an ordinary wooden box and left in a stable. The second tree became a simple fishing boat, and the third tree was cut up into beams and thrown into a shed. Many years went by, and all three trees forgot about their hopes and dreams.
One day, a man and woman with nowhere else to go found shelter in the stable. The woman gave birth to a baby boy, and with no fancy crib around, she gently placed him in the wooden box. The first tree realised that it was holding the greatest treasure of all time, baby Jesus! Years later a tired group of travellers got into the fishing boat and as they were travelling across, a fierce storm broke out. One man stood up and commanded the storm “Be still” and it became calm. The second tree had realised its wish, it was carrying the king of kings!
The third tree thought that it was destined to lie in darkness when one day it was taken out and fashioned into a cross. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop on top of a small hill, they nailed the man to the tree. The tree realised that it had touched heaven, it was carrying the Son of God and people would forever see it as a holy symbol. All the three trees realised their dreams though not in the way they thought, because God’s plans for us are bigger and better than anything we could ever dream of!
The weeks leading up to Easter can be a whirlwind of activity. Stores bombard us with colourful decorations, enticing us with deals and discounts. Social media overflows with pictures of elaborate Easter feasts and bunnies and egg hunts.” Yet, in the middle of all the noise, there is a quieter and more profound story. The Easter story, with its message of sacrifice, renewal, and everlasting hope, is a gentle reminder of the true reason for the season.”
So, as Easter approaches, there is one thing we can always look forward to – hope. A reminder that His plans for us are good, to give us a future and a hope.