April Fool’s Day began in the late 16th century when the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. Those who kept the old tradition were called fools, which began a new tradition of pulling pranks. A recent prank I’m aware of was the releasing of three pigs into a school building (but not before numbering them 1, 2, and 4). What a surprise for those looking for pig number 3!
April Fool’s Day often falls around Easter. This is fitting, because the Easter story contains the best and most shocking surprise of all time. Imagine the happy laughter when Mary Magdalene told her story to John:
So I’m outside the tomb, having a conversation with two men. They must have been angels, though my tears made it hard to see. I tell them I’m looking for the body of Jesus, and since He’s not there, I turn to leave. That’s when I see who I think is the gardener. He asks me why I’m crying and who I’m looking for. I ask him if he’s taken the body away. Just tell me, and I’ll go get Him. Then He says, “Mary!” It was Jesus! Alive! I hugged Him and cried “Teacher, it’s You!” Can you believe it? I’ve seen the Lord! (John 20:11-18 paraphrased).
The Easter story includes this happy event—one that is truly no joke. There was an empty tomb. God, by His amazing power, made the resurrection of Jesus something not only possible, but a reality. As Peter wrote, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3).
As we believe by faith the miracle that changed everything—Jesus’ resurrection—we too can laugh with joy!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Samuel 25:1-42
More:
Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 to learn why the resurrection of Jesus is absolutely necessary.
Next:
Are you feeling sad today? How does the resurrection free you to experience the joy found in Jesus?
Gary Shultz on April 1, 2016 at 6:48 am
You do really like us Mike, your back so soon…. Of course the content pulled me to the Psalms where we find “The fool says in his heart there is no God.” And that will be the worst thing of all, to have ignored the Easter events. We certainly look forward to the future of our heavenly invitation, but the power and peace of living in Christ while we walk through life is a priceless gift. To have the seeds of heavenly living here on earth to me is very valuable.
I must say the account of Mary at the tomb is a very different twist than what I have ever considered. I have always felt extremely powerful emotions as Jesus spoke the name of His dear friend “Mary”. So possibly it was more lighthearted than what I considered, but it will be hard to break the picture of the passion of that moment Christ disclosed Himself to one so devotedly committed to Him. Thanks Mike
Mike Wittmer on April 1, 2016 at 9:39 am
I know it sounds strange, but Mary’s report seems to have the best elements of comedy–surprise and joy. I can’t imagine all the emotions she must have been feeling.
gagirllive on April 1, 2016 at 9:04 am
Thanks for that little history lesson on April Fool’s Day. Never knew where that originated. That really is a great segway into the greatest event that’s ever occurred. Jesus had to be raised in order to conquer death and give us eternal life. His death alone would have only brought us forgiveness, but we needed more than that…we needed life. What a glorious day when He publicly shamed the enemy of our souls! The joke’s on him…our Lord got the last laugh, so to speak, bringing us joy for today and hope for tomorrow. Thanks for sharing this today, Mike!
Mike Wittmer on April 1, 2016 at 9:45 am
Thanks, gagirllive. Something else to consider: read Romans 4:25–Jesus was “raised for our justification” and 1 Corinthians 15:17–“if Christ has not been raised then you are still in your sins.” This implies that the empty tomb is also essential for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus bore our guilt on the cross, and then was released from that guilt when he rose from the dead. Now any of us who put our faith in Jesus join his triumph over both sin/guilt and death. Praise God!
gagirllive on April 1, 2016 at 10:18 am
Yes and amen, Mike! I appreciate that clarification. His resurrection conquered it ALL!
Mike Wittmer on April 1, 2016 at 2:27 pm
Yes, and it’s true even on the days we don’t feel it. What a relief to know that the ultimate truth about me doesn’t depend on me but on Jesus and what he has done, and will yet do.
gagirllive on April 1, 2016 at 2:57 pm
Amen…it has taken me too many years, but I no longer allow my feelings to hi-jack my faith. His WORD IS TRUTH!
sandy229 on April 1, 2016 at 5:30 pm
I used to do that too! I would often wonder what I did wrong because I wasn’t feeling like I did on the mountain top. We used to say it was like a little train…..fact….faith……feelings. They all go together but now I really know what that means. Thank you everyone for your comments.
godlove on April 1, 2016 at 11:06 am
Thank you Mike and gagirllive for further insight on the significance of the resurrection of Christ.
sandy229 on April 1, 2016 at 9:47 am
Yeah, I like the way you put that, the joke’s on the enemy of our souls…..our Lord got the last laugh…..bringing us joy for today and hope for tomorrow!
sandy229 on April 1, 2016 at 10:00 am
I used to make calendars for all of my family, so I had to find out when Easter was determined, and I learned that Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st. I know they didn’t have calendars when Jesus arose from the dead and became our life light. I like Romans 4:25. Yes, I looked it up after you left that comment to gagirlive. But I really do like that.
godlove on April 1, 2016 at 11:14 am
I think Christ’s resurrection is the final and necessary confirmation that He IS the Messiah, for by rising again He completely fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah. Which is the reason why, as Matthew reports (Matthew 28:11-15), when the priests heard about the resurrection from the guards they had posted near His tomb (purposely posted to prevent the disciples from stealing His body and claiming that He had risen), they then did exactly that: asked the guards to spread the story that His body was stolen! No man can thwart GOD’s Plan though, because even with all the earthly authority those priests had, their false account of events didn’t prevent the worldwide spread of the good news which still continues to spread even today: Christ rose from the dead, and His resurrection guarantees salvation for all those who believe in Him!
gagirllive on April 1, 2016 at 11:35 am
Amen, godlove!
Mike Wittmer on April 1, 2016 at 2:26 pm
So true. It’s always surprising how the disciples didn’t believe Jesus was going to die and rise again even though he said it plainly to them. Makes me wonder what obvious truths I might be missing! Regardless, we know that Jesus is alive and is returning for us.
godlove on April 1, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Mike you have just given me some more food for thought here: how did the disciples not believe Jesus would rise again after his death, when even the priests who masterminded his trial guessed these disciples would try to pretend that he had risen? Don’t even mention Thomas whom even after everyone said they had seen the risen Christ, refused to believe until he saw Him himself! Let’s pray that GOD by the Power of the Holy Spirit will help us not to miss any glaring obvious truths which He sets before us.
gagirllive on April 1, 2016 at 3:01 pm
Yeah…I’ve thought that too! Then I realize that they did not yet have the witness of the Holy Spirit when Jesus was telling them those things. So glad we do…He is our Illuminator and the Revealer of Truth!
sandy229 on April 1, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Yes. Amen!
sandy229 on April 1, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Yes, Amen Mike!
jim spillane on April 1, 2016 at 6:14 pm
Mike – not only do I wonder about the “obvious truths” that I might be missing, I also wonder about any of the truths that I currently hold that might actually be false.
jim spillane on April 1, 2016 at 6:00 pm
Mike – I’m sorry that this comment is coming in so late, but I just got to this site. I certainly understand the joy and celebratory mood that surrounds the discovery of the empty tomb. But if I may, I’d like to take this in a different direction. Compare this discovery event in all 4 Gospels and you will find that Mark’s version paints a somewhat different picture. Though the proclaiming angel seems quite upbeat, the reaction of the 3 women is quite the opposite. Mark uses words like “trembling,” “fled,” “they said nothing to anyone,” “because they were afraid.” It’s a very somber and somewhat dark picture that is painted here. Shouldn’t they be happy that the Lord is risen, shouldn’t they be joyful?! Mark states that they even refused the angel’s request to “go, tell His disciples and Peter.” This account seems to stand in stark contrast to the other 3. Thoughts?