Article April 1, 2013 ISSUE

The first Easter and Jesus' love

Mary Trammell

The Bible citations are all from The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition, by J.B. Phillips.

One time, thousands of children, men, and women followed Jesus into the lonely desert, hoping for a glimpse of him. They also hoped that he’d heal the many sick people among them. All day they hiked, only to find the Master deep in prayer. He wanted time alone to pray because he was sad about losing his cousin, John the Baptist, who’d been killed by enemies. (See Matthew 14.) 

But when Jesus saw the tired crowd, he cared so much about their suffering that he healed every one who was sick. Not only that, as darkness fell and the crowds got hungry, Jesus took the only food his disciples could find nearby—a little bread and fish—and served supper to everyone!

That’s the way Jesus was. His love was so powerful and tied to God’s love that it naturally healed people and took care of them. Especially, Jesus loved kids. “The kingdom of Heaven belongs to little children like these!” he said (Matthew 19:14). Jesus even loved his worst enemies, and told his followers to do the same. “Do good to those who hate you,” he said (Luke 6:27).

That’s where Easter comes in. The enemies that killed John the Baptist were after Jesus, too. Before long, they captured and crucified him. Even on the cross, though, Jesus kept right on loving his enemies. “Father, forgive them;” he said, “they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

After that, everybody thought Jesus was gone forever—buried in a cave with a huge rock at the entrance. But three days later, two of his closest followers saw an angel push the rock aside and announce that Jesus had risen from the dead! (See Matthew 28.)

Jesus appeared several times to his disciples. This showed them that good really wins out over evil, life over death, and love over hate. Like Mary Baker Eddy said, it was Christ Jesus’ “practical affection and goodness”—his spiritual love—that was the real power behind his resurrection (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 24 ). 

You and I celebrate Easter best when we feel that same kind of love. Sure, it’s good to love friends and family and neighbors. But it’s especially good to love people that it’s hard to love, like bullies and people who act mean to us. That’s the kind of love that heals!!

About the author

Mary Trammell loves praying for people, big and little, and teaching them about Christian Science.

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