Easter Is Not an Idle Tale

In today’s world, it’s increasingly difficult to know what’s true. We’ve all encountered scams—fraudulent texts, emails, or calls pretending to be from the IRS or a utility company. Even churches aren’t immune—some tricksters impersonate pastors in an attempt to deceive congregants.

Technology has only added to the confusion. With editing tools and artificial intelligence, photos can be doctored, videos manipulated, and entire narratives fabricated. Just because you saw something online doesn’t mean it’s real. Deepfakes can be disturbingly convincing. In such a world, a degree of skepticism is understandable—and necessary.

But skepticism isn’t new. Even the disciples struggled with doubt. On the first Easter morning, the women returned from Jesus’ tomb, breathless with news of angels and resurrection. But the disciples responded with doubt. Luke 24:11 says, “But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” An idle tale. Nonsense. Fake news.

Why? Because death feels final. Dead people don’t return. When something is “dead”—a deal, a phone line, a relationship—we assume it’s over. So when Jesus died, His followers grieved deeply.

But death isn’t the end of the story. Not for Jesus. And not for us.

Easter changes everything. The Bible tells us we “do not grieve as others do who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Jesus rose from the grave, and because He lives, we have hope—even in the face of death.

Easter is not an idle tale. Consider the evidence:

• The tomb was empty. No one could produce the body. The stone was rolled away not for Jesus to leave, but for others to see in.
• Jesus appeared to hundreds. 1 Corinthians 15 lists eyewitnesses who saw Him alive.
• The disciples were transformed. Once fearful and hidden, they boldly proclaimed His resurrection—even to the point of death.
• Historical sites affirm it. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is built on a location that Christians have revered since the early days of the faith. Today, it’s impossible to know precisely where the tomb was, but if the places of the Holy Land could talk, what glorious things they would say!
• The evidence of faith. Jesus promised His message would spread across the world—and it has. Two billion people call themselves Christians today. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit, building faith in people across cultures and centuries.

In a world of doubt and deception, we all long for something true—something solid enough to stake our lives on. The resurrection of Jesus offers that foundation. When grief overwhelms, we cling to the promise that life awaits beyond death. When life feels like a dead end, we declare that God is not finished—He brings new life.

As Christians, we live with an Easter mindset—a bias toward hope. We believe that because Jesus lives, we will live too. His victory over death is our victory. His love holds us fast.

God is good. God is faithful. And Easter is no idle tale.