“Jesus told Martha: ‘I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live…’” John 11:25
During the French Revolution, the townspeople in a village in Austria found themselves surrounded by eighteen thousand soldiers led by Andre Massena, one of Napoleon’s generals. Having no defense, they prepared to do the only thing they could do: surrender.
But before they surrendered, the dean of the church reminded them it was Easter. Wouldn’t it be better to celebrate this holy day now and surrender later?
What did they have to lose?
The townspeople had their Easter celebration, praising God for the gift of His son and the miracle of the resurrection. They sang, broke bread, rejoiced. Then, the celebration ended as usual with the joyful ringing of the church bells proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection.
But the French army didn’t know about the Easter service going on inside the church. When they heard the ringing of the church bells, they concluded it could only mean one thing: an Austrian army had come to defend the village. The French army fled before the church bells finished ringing.
Are we capable of ringing the bells of Easter Joy when we are faced with hardship, pain, or even death? It’s not easy. Sometimes in these moments it feels easier to surrender—to just give up.
But those moments when we are at our lowest, are actually the perfect time to call out to Jesus to raise our spirits, like He rose from the dead.
We are daily called to celebrate Easter Joy, no matter what season of our life we happen to be living. Even when we are under attack.
Amen? Amen!
Watering the Seeds
What does “Easter Joy” mean to you?
How could you add “Easter Joy” into your life today?
