Jason Smith, member of Congress
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Matthew 28:5-8
On Sunday, April 20, Christians around the world celebrate our most holy holiday, Easter. Beyond the fun of an Easter Egg hunt or spending time with family, we remember how God gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, to deliver us everlasting life. Jesus’ death was not an end but instead was truly a beginning for all of us.
I think often of the lesson we learn from Mary Magdalene on the morning of the resurrection. Still in mourning, she and her friend went to Jesus’ tomb expecting to continue their grieving. Instead, they found an angel there who shared with them the news – Jesus has Risen from the Dead! Incredibly, these women pushed through their own fear about the situation, accepted the news, and ran to spread the word.
When I was elected to be your voice in Congress, I pledged that I would never let my faith waver. That I would not be afraid nor would I ever hesitate to stand up with conviction for the values and beliefs that we all hold dear. These are lessons I learned as a young boy as the son of a preacher, and that I haven’t forgotten to this day.
One of those convictions is to stand up for God’s chosen people in Israel. These past few years have been so hard for people of the Jewish faith, who have been tested by virulent antisemitism and a culture on the radical Left that would prefer Israel to be wiped off the map. When I was first elected to Congress, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel and be re-baptized in the Jordan River. Sharing that experience made me feel even more closely connected with my faith, as I recalled the stories of Jesus being Baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. It was one of the most spiritually meaningful moments of my life, and it instilled in me an even stronger will to continue standing up for Israel.
I am so grateful to have a President in President Trump who is unafraid to do what’s right to help our friends in Israel. President Trump was the man who had the conviction and fortitude to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, 23 years after the passage of the Jerusalem Embassy Act. He is the leader who will deny entry to our country anyone who seeks to promote antisemitism on our campuses or on our streets. It is the mark of a strong leader, and I’m grateful he is willing to stand up for us as Christians at home and abroad.
To my Christian brothers and sisters, I wish you a Happy Easter! He is Risen!