Celebrate the Promise of Easter Even in Dark Times Because We Already Know We’ve Won

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Like many others, I will be gathering with my family this weekend to celebrate Easter and our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we rejoice knowing it is the day we were given the greatest gift of all: eternal salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We have been freed.

At the same time, I am celebrating Passover, to reflect on God freeing the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

But once again, we find ourselves in a season where the world feels dark, and as military action in Iran continues, many are spreading fear and hopelessness. At the ACLJ, we know Easter is the season of life, and we sow the seeds of truth – and of hope.

Regardless of the war in Iran, the attacks on Israel, or even the attacks on religious liberty in America, as believers, we can still celebrate. In fact, we’re commanded to. Jesus Christ, our risen Savior, conquered death, and we can celebrate knowing that this world is not our final home.

But while both Easter and Passover are celebrations of life and freedom from bondage and death, we must remember the countless believers around the globe who are persecuted, abused, imprisoned, and dying for their faith.

In Nigeria, over 7,100 innocent Christians were killed by Islamic radicals just last year. We’re working in Washington and directly at the U.N. to bring attention and intervention to these atrocities.

And we continue to work tirelessly in Pakistan, where we’re defending multiple Christians on death row for their faith. Their appeals have been continually delayed, and time is running out.

At the same time, we must continue to pray and take action against assaults on religious liberty right here at home.

We’re at the Supreme Court fighting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s draconian attacks on a Christian church. Even at Easter, Newsom is trying to empty their offering plates, to the tune of over $1.2 million in fines for worshiping during the pandemic. Newsom’s legal team was just forced to respond to our case, and that means even during these sacred holidays, the ACLJ will be working to defend religious liberty.

In Chicago, we’re representing three Christian preachers who were handcuffed and arrested for preaching the Gospel on a public street corner. Thanks to the diligence of our legal team, the charges were ultimately dropped, but we’re not stopping there. We also filed a lawsuit against the city to defend religious liberty and make sure unconstitutional violations like this never happen again.

These are just a few of the cases we’re currently engaged in, but they alone are enough to make things feel bleak. And there’s no question – they are cause for concern. But we still boldly celebrate Easter, and the resurrection of our Savior, who died to conquer death and grant us eternal life with the Father.

This Easter, we ask that you pray for suffering Christians around the world, for leaders and lawmakers here and abroad to protect faith – not attack it – and for your ACLJ team working around the clock to defend religious liberty.

Happy Easter from me, my family, and everyone at the ACLJ.

He is risen.