Where God Comes First

 April Fools and Easter Resurrection

 

April 1st always makes us laugh a little. It’s the one day each year when expectations and truth becomes playful, and even the most serious among us can’t help but smile. But for Christians, April Fool’s Day gives us a unique opportunity to reflect on a deeper biblical theme—the contrast between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom.

Throughout Scripture, God often works through what appears foolish to reveal His greatest wisdom. This week as the world jokes and plays tricks, we look at the holy “foolishness” of a faith and resurrection that transforms our lives.

This year Easter Sunday falls in April just a few days after April Fools Day. It’s a day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb after his agonizing death on the cross. The world may think it is foolish to believe a man would willing die on a cross when he had the power to defat and destroy his captors. What many do not comprehend is He defeated them in death and by his resurrection 3 days later.

 

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

In the early church, people struggled to understand the cross. Why would salvation come through sacrifice? Why would God’s Son choose suffering? To many, it seemed absurd.

Yet the very things that appeared foolish were the foundation of God’s redemption plan.

 

Let’s look at other beliefs and actions that appeared foolish to the unbelievers during Jesus’ time on earth and even today.

• Forgiving instead of retaliating

• Loving enemies instead of ignoring them

• Serving quietly instead of seeking recognition

• Giving generously instead of clinging to comfort

 

 

Faith requires courage—especially when obedience doesn’t yet make sense.

• Look at Noah building an ark before a drop of rain.

• Gideon going to battle with only 300 men.

• David stepping up to Goliath with a sling.

• Mary trusting God with an impossible promise.

• The disciples leaving everything familiar behind.

Their faith looked foolish. But their trust changed history.

 

THE RESURRECTION THAT REDEFINED EVERYTHING

Easter is far more than a holiday—it is the heart of the Christian faith. It is the moment when sorrow gave way to joy, darkness surrendered to light, and death itself was defeated. Every year, we revisit familiar Scriptures and traditions, yet the resurrection never loses its power unless we forget how deeply we need it.

This week we gather not only to remember the resurrection, but to let it reshape how we live, hope, and believe.

 

Matthew 28:5–6

The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid… He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.’

Luke 24: 6-7

“He is not here; he has risen. Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee. The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.

These words transformed history. They rewrote humanity’s story. And they continue to rewrite ours.

 

The first Easter was not merely a theological moment—it was deeply personal as we recall the emotions and internal struggles of those who were with Jesus and walked with him.

Mary met Jesus in grief.

Peter met Him in shame.

Thomas met Him in doubt.

The disciples met Him in fear.

And Jesus met every one of them with compassion, patience, and purpose.

The resurrection is God’s declaration:

“I see you. I know where you are. And I am not leaving you there.”

 

As we reflect upon the resurrection and reason for Easter this week, it is a good time to reflect on where we need resurrection in our life today. It should be just a personal to us as it was to those who witnessed his death and resurrection during their darkest times.

Easter speaks into the hidden places of our hearts:

• Where we feel tired

• Where we feel defeated

• Where we doubt God

• Where we wonder if change is possible

The empty tomb says nothing is final in God’s hands.

For the guilty: Easter says forgiveness is real.

For the grieving: Easter says joy will return.

For the uncertain: Easter says the future is certain

 

Easter Is Not the End—It Is the Beginning

Jesus didn’t rise so we could recall a historical moment.

He rose so that we could live with renewed strength today.

The stone that was rolled away from the tomb still rolls away obstacles in our lives—restoring hope, courage, and purpose.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.

 

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for the resurrection that renews our hope. Help us walk in the power of new beginnings, trusting that nothing is impossible with You. Restore us, strengthen us, and send us forward in faith. Give us courage to trust You even when Your ways challenge our own understanding. Help us walk in faith, humility, and joy. May what seems foolish to the world become wisdom within our hearts. Amen.