APRIL FOOL'S DAY

It is a tradition on the first of April to pull harmless jokes on those near and dear to us. Usually the jokes are funnier in our imaginings than how they play out, but even the most staid among us has been known to indulge in a practical joke on April 1. So be especially aware of what people do and say to you today.

The origin of pranks on April 1 remains a mystery. Until the middle ages, the western world used the Julian calendar which began each year on March 25. But since March 25 fell during Holy Week, New Year's festivals were celebrated April 1. The adoption of the Gregorian calendar during the 1500s moved the New Year to January 1. Some think the origin for April Fools' Day was tricking people into thinking April 1 was still New Year's. Another story says that April Fools' Day commemorates the fruitless mission of the dove, who was sent out in search of land from Noah's ark during the flood. Most probably the custom is a carry-over from the Romans' end-of-winter celebration, Hilaria, celebrated near the Vernal Equinox.

A story going around the internet tells of a judge who tried a discrimination lawsuit filed by someone who wanted a holiday for atheists. With all the religious holidays, what about giving atheists a holiday of their own? The judge tossed the case out, ruling that atheists already had a holiday. Quoting Psalm 14:1, "The fool says in his heart there is no God," he ruled that April Fool's Day is already the holiday for all atheists.

Well, at least the sentiment of that story is true. We live in a highly educated time of history. People pride themselves in finding explanations for most everything. But of all the explanations of human wisdom, none explains the presence of evil in the world. How did evil get here? And if there is no such a thing as evil, why do "evolving" people keep doing the same terrible things to each other, generation after generation? 

Of course evil does exist. And people believe God exists, though most are confused as to who the true God is, and not all who know Him really trust Him. Evil is not some trick God has played on us. It's the work of another person who exists, Satan, and he hates God and Christians. But God's love is far more powerful than Satan's evil, and that's good news for us all.

With Easter already behind us, April 1 this year is a good time to give thanks that Jesus is God's true and living Son. His death is a historical fact, and so is His resurrection. Christ's death and resurrection have defeated the forces of evil. Evil is a headless rattler, making a lot of racket, but already slain. God loves us, and that's the greatest fact of all.

The Lord Jesus is alive, and that's no joke!