Easter's theme---"nevertheless."
Of the tens of millions who were in church this Easter Sunday--including the 2,000 where my wife and I attend, there were probably as many notions as to what happened in Jerusalem that Easter day as there were people. But Easter does not depend on how people see the events. Each of the four gospels has a different version. But the Easter message has little to do with whose version is correct. The mystery lies far beyond belief in this notion or that.
The Easter truth is finally in this: no matter who you are, what race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or non-religion--no matter what you face or have faced: your deteriorating health, your heartaches and tragedies, your disappointments, dead ends NEVERTHELESS there is built into the heart of reality an optimism, a hope that is for everyone of us. The Christian work is to communicate this hope.
The meaning of the word "gospel" is "good news"--not doctrine. And that is for all of us, no matter who we are or have been. We are not blessed because we are good or have a certain faith, believe certain doctrines, or don't--but because we are created to be loved.
So whoever you are this day, the Easter message is for you. You are accepted!! Whatever you face--NEVERTHELESS!!