Statement by President Joe Biden on Easter
Jill and I join fellow Christians around the world in celebrating Easter Sunday — a day of joy and hope, of renewal and rebirth.
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Once again, Holy Week has taken us on a journey from sorrow to salvation. As we reflect today on Christ’s Resurrection, we are reminded that with faith, hope, and love — even death can be defeated.
And, as we emerge from this pandemic, we are grateful that so many are able to celebrate this day of joy and renewal with services and family gatherings in person and together again. But we know this Holy Day falls on heavy hearts for those who have lost loved ones and those among us living in the dark shadow of war, persecution, and poverty.
On this day and each day, we pray for them, and for peace, freedom, and the basic dignity and respect for all of God’s children. As we look ahead with His blessing, may we share a common hope for the future, reaffirm love and compassion for one another, and cherish the blessing of the dawn of new possibilities.
From our family to yours, we wish you hope, health, joy, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding.
Happy Easter and may God bless and keep you.
Think on These Things
Are you ready for the Word!
“Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee… But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying… I do not know the Man!… And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. So he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:69-76
Peter ran through the dusty roads with tears streaming down his face. His hands clenched tightly, indicative of the growing anger in his heart. He is angry with himself. He just wants to be alone. “No one can see me like this,” he thought to himself. He finds a secluded place and he weeps bitterly. Heaving uncontrollably, he screams into the dawning sky. “It’s over, I failed Him. I failed Him.” His thoughts began to wander. “I remember that day when Andrew came running to me. ‘Simon, Simon, you have to meet this man. His name is Jesus, He’s from Nazareth. John the Baptist told me that He is the One – the Christ.’ Really,” with a skeptical hint in his voice. “Take me to him.” There He was, and ordinary looking man. The first thing He does is give me another name. “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Peter.” “He was a good man, I thought. But there was something about His presence. His presence was so compelling, you were drawn to him, at least I was, but I wasn’t convinced.”
“I took him to my home.” “My wife’s mother was ill with a high fever. We were all so concerned about her. Jesus went over to her, held her hand, and told the fever to leave her body. She opened her eyes, looked at Him, got up, and made us a meal. I observed her keenly; she seemed the strongest that I had seen her in a long time.”
Peter grabbed his garment as he sat in the dark reminiscing. Pounding his fist to the ground, sobbing regretfully. “How could I deny Him?” “How could I say, ‘I don’t know Him?’” “You liar, you coward, you are not worthy to call His name,” he yelled to himself.
Peter recalled that day Jesus spent all night in prayer. “He came down from the mountain early that next morning, and He called us over and named twelve of His disciples to be apostles. I did not know what that meant, but I was the first name He called. He called me first, and here I am denying Him. Here I am swearing that I do not know this man.” “He looked right into my heart as that rooster crowed. He knew I had denied Him” (Luke 22:60-62). “I failed Him.”
Peter’s experience left him distraught and disappointed in himself with feelings of immense guilt. Perhaps you have experienced this in your own personal and spiritual journey. Guilt is a powerful psycho-emotion state that can so dominate your thoughts and emotions that you feel paralyzed. Maybe you feel far from God –– out of touch in your spiritual life. Perhaps, you have allowed other priorities and pressures to silence your faith, or even cause you to deny it, like Peter did.
Today, I invite you to consider the cross of Christ as a historical location that can still change lives forever. Today, I invite you to consider the resurrection of Christ as a historical event that can change your life forever. All guilt, shame, sins, and regrets can be lifted by the grace and power of God. There is an old hymn that states, “Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary. Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.” You see, after Jesus’ resurrection, He followed up with Peter and lifted His burden of guilt by embracing him and reminding him of his purpose. “Do you love me Peter, then go and take care of my people” (John 21:16). In essence, Jesus empowered Peter to go and be the leader he was called and mentored to be. You are more than your mistakes, mishaps, and misery. Be encouraged
today, knowing that tomorrow can be a better day, if you let the Word of God and the Spirit of God heal your heart and mind. It begins with a small step of faith. So, I encourage you, if you haven’t done so in a while, this Easter re-enter the worship space at a local church and worship the resurrected King of kings – Jesus Christ our Lord. Until next time, Happy Easter my friends, and think of these things.
