On Easter Sunday 2024, members of Little Falls Chapel told the resurrection story through three readings, and Pastor Linda Reese closed with a reflection. If you’ve heard the Easter story many times, hearing it through the eyes of the people who were there makes it new again.

The women at dawn

The first reading followed the women who went to the tomb early in the morning with spices for Jesus’ body. They were grieving and afraid. One of them said what everyone was thinking: if there is no resurrection, we are lost in our sins. But Jesus had told them, “the third day he shall rise again” (Matthew 20:19, KJV). The reading ended the way the women’s morning did, with hope:

For I know that my redeemer liveth.

Job 19:25 (KJV)

The disciples after the resurrection

The second reading picked up after Jesus gave the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… and, lo, I am with you alway” (Matthew 28:19-20), and after He was carried up into heaven (Luke 24:50-53). The disciples remember. Thomas is ashamed his faith was so small. Peter remembers denying Him three times, and being forgiven anyway.

He took my place

The third reading imagined Barabbas on the road the day he was set free. He meets a couple, and the wife prays for him in Jesus’ name and reads from Isaiah: “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities… and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Slowly Barabbas understands. The man dying on the middle cross is dying in his place.

Pastor Linda brought it home. Jesus had done nothing wrong, yet He took Barabbas’ place, and He took ours. We weren’t there to see the empty tomb, but Jesus said, “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The Word is true, and He is coming back.

Easter is the best Sunday to come as you are. Plan your visit and there’ll be a seat for you.