Have you ever wondered why the month is called April? The name originates from the ancient Roman or Greek word Aprillis, which means to open. It’s thought to have been a reference to the way so many things open up in the month of April.
The flowers open. The seeds laying dormant through winter months finally open and new crops begin to emerge. In some places of the country, it’s also the time when golf courses open up for the season. I’m glad our courses never really close.
And this year many more things are opening in April. April is also the time when Christians celebrate the way a tomb in ancient Israel was left open as well.
This month we celebrate Easter again — the celebration of the real heart and core of what the Christian faith is all about. Jesus from Nazareth turned out to be God in flesh and blood, God who had come into His creation to live the perfect life we sinful broken people could not live.
Then he died in sacrifice to atone for all our sins. His lifeless body was then sealed up in a tomb when a large stone was rolled to the entrance. Everything seemed lost in that moment. But — and everything changes after the but — everything seemed lost, but then, on the third day, just as he said he would, Jesus rose up in new life. He stepped forth victorious from the grave. He left that tomb opened and empty.
April is a great name for the month in which we celebrate what is opened for us all. You see, in Jesus Christ we have been redeemed. Because of his sacrifice in that death upon the cross, our sins have been atoned for and our souls are washed clean. And because he rose from the grave and left the tomb standing opened, we have been raised up in new life by faith and we have the hope of eternal life to come. Our graves will also be left opened and empty. Christ opened up the gates of heaven and His eternal home for all who trust in him.
Join us Easter morning at Hosanna as we celebrate the new life he gave to us. We are open. And join us every Sunday as we live this new life by faith in him.
Hosanna Lutheran Church is located at 9601 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Visit the website at hosanna-lcms.com.