My father passed away November 6, 2002. We learned he had lung cancer in August of that year and he passed just a few weeks later.

If you have lost a loved one you understand the feelings a person goes through the years following the loss. For me, one of the feelings is the remorse of what I could have or should have done while he was still here.

Just a few months before his cancer was discovered he, my mom and brother went to our ancestral homeland of Scotland. They invited me to go and I was too busy so I said I would go next time. I did go the next time but it was to spread his ashes at the Armstrong Tower.

The harsh reality that we have no guarantees of the future lives with me every day. Even now as I write these words I get emotional thinking about him and wishing I would have taken more time to spend with him.

One of the joys I look forward to is seeing him again. Not just my essence being near his essence in some dreamland in the future, but truly being able to see him, talk to him, hug him.

I think this is part of why the authors of the Apostles Creed included this week’s statement. It says, “I believe in . . . the resurrection of the body.” Not only do we understand there will be a resurrection of all people, some to judgment and others to heavenly bliss, but that those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior will receive glorified bodies so we can interact with each other.

What a magnificent day that will be when we will once again see our departed loved ones and experience the warmth of their smile and feeling of their embrace!

As I thought about this the past few days, I reflected on what God did to provide this hope.

In a couple of days we celebrate what is called Good Friday. When you think about it there really wasn’t much good about that day.

Good Friday celebrates the day Jesus was wrongly accused, viciously beaten and mercilessly nailed to a cross so He would die the most torturous death known to man. If you have seen Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” you’ve had a glimpse of the brutality He endured.

As horrible as that was physically, the separation Jesus felt from His Father was even more excruciating. As we read in Matthews account, Jesus cried out in agony, “My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?” I doubt we will ever fully understand the depths of His anguish as He uttered these words.

Good Friday? Horrible Friday maybe. Or Violent Friday. Even Brutal Friday. But Good Friday?

For Jesus what happened that day was far from good.

The outcome, however, the result He secured for us from what He endured was extraordinary!

His death paid the penalty for all the sins of all mankind for all time. Each person who individually accepts His payment for their sin is brought into a personal relationship with Him, given the assurance of eternity in heaven with all its glories and wonder and the confident anticipation of seeing and enjoying our loved ones who have gone on before.

Because I believe in the resurrection of the body there is great hope and joy brought to my heart.

As we come upon this Easter season, it is easy to let it be just another familiar holiday we breeze through. Instead, let’s intentionally carve out time to pause and think about the depths of its importance and significance personally. Ponder the immeasurable love our Heavenly Father has for us by allowing His Son to be treated this way. Reflect on what it meant for Jesus to willingly accept the pain, shame, ridicule and abuse to be our Savior.

Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted all we receive from all He suffered. Don’t let this Easter pass without lingering to allow it to impact your heart in a fresh, new way.

Mark