It’s just Tuesday and we have some eager excited beavers, pre schoolers asking for an Easter Egg hunt.

Tooth fairies, Santa Claus, Easter bunnies are all good characters created to ease children into celebrations and boost sales for retailers but remember to share the real reason for Easter. That Jesus came to save us from ourselves.

What is the Easter Story? The Easter story recounts Jesus resurrection three days after his death, his crucifixion on the cross. I can recall hot days in the sun at St Mary’s Savalalo, acting as Jesus and carry a big wooden cross across the playground.

It was an annual reminder that we are not about ourselves. That we have a God who is capable of mercy and love, grace and resurrection. How God sent his only son to save us all.

For a primary school child, I was always puzzled as to why God would even do that!

First, it just didn’t make sense that a loving father, God would kill his only son. Second, looking at so much evil in the world made me questioned whether his life was even worth the sacrifice.

In addition, the way he was betrayed and deceived by his own disciple and friend Judas for silver. Then again, this still happens today. How many friends betray the other over a car, a pretty girl, money and status? How many turn their back on years of friendship just so they can have one over their friend? How many relatives would share intimate details of who you are to others when things are rough? It’s human nature. We all have our weaknesses.

The significance of Easter is His triumph over death. Le oti o fea o iai lou tui? Tuugamau e, o fea lou manumalo? The resurrection means the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Jesus. Jesus only spent three years in his ministry, taught and preached during that whole time. He lived and died as a physical man, experiencing pain, rejection, loneliness and eventually death. This was to connect us to him.

 We may be grateful for the resurrection and salvation. Don’t forget that one requirement of being a christian includes going through what Jesus went through.

You will go through hard times, insulted, persecuted in your journey. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you’. Matthew 5: 10-12

While we enjoy another peaceful week, don’t forget to buy those Easter eggs for the hunt. A little chocolate always makes Easter a little bit sweeter and the smile on those little faces are worth the $20. If you haven’t done a treasure hunt before then you can begin a new tradition. Draw the map, hide the eggs and away you go.

Make memories with your children while they are still young, when their sense of wonder is at a high and they see you as a superhero. These are the memories they will treasure when they have children of their own and when they travel the world on their own adventure.