Around this time of the year, all of those who live in the Augusta area and millions who follow the game of golf who live all over the world, feel the energy of what will take place here in only a few days. The Masters Golf Tournament is on the horizon and our minds are fixed on those special days when thousands are welcomed into Augusta for that greatest of golf tournaments. For golfers it is the one tournament that they all want to win. Coming in first in the Masters Golf Tournament is the most special thing in the world to those who have dedicated their lives to playing golf for a living. It is even better than winning The Daytona 500 auto race. It’s huge! Thousands of patrons put their lives on hold while the Masters is played. Large crowds of people spend huge sums of money just to walk the grounds of the Augusta National golf course and follow their favorite golfer around as he vies for that most coveted Green Jacket. Many more thousands gather around television sets in a myriad of places to watch the event. It is a VERY special time for millions of people. Having been to a number of the Masters events over the years, I can attest to the beauty of the Augusta National and the excitement of the Masters Tournament.
But we are now headed toward another day which is far more important than anything that man can devise. That day is Easter and it is the time that we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In only three weeks, Christians will gather to celebrate the day that Jesus came forth from the tomb thereby defeating death and assuring us of the same ability if we trust in Him for eternal life. Everyone wants to go to heaven when they die and what took place on Easter assured believers of the fact that eternal life is ours if we trust Him with our lives and rely on Him for life that never ends.
Early on the first day of the week, Sunday, about 2000 years ago this miracle of the Resurrection place. I have had the great privilege of venturing six times to the exact place where this miracle of life happened. It never gets old to go there. One comes to the place of the Garden Tomb with great anticipation no matter how many times they have visited that site. I will never forget the first time I went to the Garden Tomb. It was in 1978 which is a good while ago but the memory of my first visit has never faded at all. As I entered the garden, I turned my head to the left and suddenly every hair on my body stood up. There it was; the tomb from which Jesus was resurrected! I had seen it in National Geographic and many other sources but standing only a few yards from it was another experience altogether. A few minutes later I was standing in the actual tomb. I saw where He had lain those many years ago. It is also the very spot where God exhibited His great power in bringing Jesus back to life. Scientists say that enough power was released in the moment of resurrection to power the whole world for a day. Can you imagine such power? No, I don’t think we can but we can experience its effect in that, one day, we too will be resurrected just as our Lord was. So, here we are, three weeks away from Easter. My purpose is to help us all start thinking on this marvelous, miraculous event because all Christians will experience a resurrection to eternal life as a result of the resurrection of Jesus. Be sure that other things don’t crowd out the importance of this wonderful day.
The commercial world has done a lot of people spiritual damage by turning Easter into a huge money-making day. And, as a human, it is hard not to get trapped into the mental gymnastics of the season and focus on easter eggs, bunnies, egg hunts, Easter outfits and such. ‘’’we may have fun with all of those things but don’t let them take away from the importance of Easter and what it means to Christians. Enjoy your family and friends but don’t forget to reflect on Easter with the reverence that deserves.
So, if you will, think with me for the next three weeks about the fact that we are, day by day, inching closer to the day when the most important thing that ever happened actually occurred….The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Make your plans now to make sure that this special Sunday is reserved for the worship of the one who died for us; was buried for us and who rose again for us to prove to us that Jesus is real and that eternal life is ours if only we trust in Him by faith. Just take Him at His word. Believe all that is said about Him in the scripstures. Rely on Him and trust Him to do for you what He said He would do; save you and take you to heaven when you die. Is anything more important than that? I don’t think so!
Don’t let anything stand in your way of worshipping Jesus on Easter which is The Most Important Day in history.
Wm F. Harrell…3-28-2025
