Easter is for YOU
Pick any gospel, turn to the last chapter (or recall it if you’re already super familiar with the Biblical accounts), and ask this question: “Holy Spirit, what do You want to highlight for me for today?”
The good news of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead starts with the historical truth that “Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed!” [If you or someone you live with questions the historicity of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, ask what a jury would decide if presented with ALL the evidence – Biblical, historical, church accounts, archeology, etc.]
The Gospel, which literally means Good News, starts there, but it doesn’t stop there. Until “Christ is risen; He is risen indeed!” becomes “Christ is risen; He is risen in me!” we’ve left the meat on the table and quit after the appetizers.
Easter planning for the year 2052
Are you making plans for how you’ll celebrate Easter in 2052? No?
My friend Olivier was given the task of planning for Easter 2033 way back in 2007 – 26 years in advance! The celebration God assigned to Him was a wee bit bigger than yours or mine. “Plan for a guest list of about 9 billion,” the Lord said! So suffice it to say, Olivier thinks a lot about Easter. Possibly more than anyone else currently alive.
And so on our monthly prayer call last Friday, Olivier asked a group of 2033 Ambassadors from 16 different countries a very similar question to the one I posed above: “What stands out to you about the resurrection, right now, personally, with whatever’s going on in your life?”
Mark 16:7
Very quickly after Olivier asked that question, an answer came to mind. I’m sure it was the Lord speaking for several reasons:
I couldn’t find the verse in the Bible! After looking in Matthew, Luke, and John, I wondered if I’d made it up by the time I got to Mark.
God has used that verse, which I’d never really thought about in a contemporary way before, every day since, not only to bless me but also so many others in my life.
Mark 16:7 feels like the absolute best news of Easter personally in 2026 – I’m quite confident Satan wouldn’t be in favor of that, and I’m not smart enough to figure it out on my own.
But what does it say?
If you stopped reading what I wrote to look up the verse and hear directly what God said, you win! You scored the most points!
But in case you didn’t, here’s what it says: “The angel told the women, 'Jesus is going ahead of you…'” See if Jesus is risen in you as you ponder any of these scenarios:
Struggling with confusing answers (or silence) to prayer? Fear not – Jesus is already there, way ahead of you. He knows what’s coming when we don’t.
Wrestling with priorities? Fear not – Jesus is ahead of you, and when you know the future, you have a giant head start on what matters most now.
Juggling more plates than you can handle? Fear not – Jesus knows your every need, He’s full of grace, way ahead of you, and He’s here to help.
Amazed at the “coincidences”? Don’t be. Jesus is ahead of you. He knows it all. It’s not a coincidence. He planned out what you need today before you were even conceived.
So… how is Jesus risen in you today? I would be encouraged to hear!
Dave Drum, Founder J17 Ministries
