The Resurrection Reveals | Gotcha Day

“Go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” John 20:17

Adoptive parents often celebrate the date when their children joined the family and they refer to it as “Gotcha Day.” This celebration is in addition to birthday parties that mark the birth of a new person. Gotcha Day marks the birth of a new family. Gotcha Day is extremely significant to adoptive families because it marks the transition from outsider to insider, from stranger to beloved child. It celebrates the day when a child could legally call two unrelated strangers “Mom and Dad.”

In many ways, Resurrection Sunday is God’s “Gotcha Day.” When Jesus rose from the dead, He established a new family. He even used family language when He talked to Mary. “Go tell my brothers,” He said. “I’m going to my Father and your Father.” The walls had come down, the veil torn in two. The elusive Yahweh was inviting familiarity. He had shown the world what He was like through His Son, Jesus. Now all those who trusted in Him as Lord and Savior could be adopted into God’s family as His own children. We are pronounced sons and daughters. Forgiven. Righteous. His family. The resurrection marks the transition from outsider to insider, from stranger to beloved child. It celebrates the day when all those redeemed by the blood of Jesus could legally call Almighty God, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15) God celebrates Easter by saying to His kids: “Gotcha!”

Final Thought:  Easter is not about bunnies and eggs. If you’ve been adopted by God, Easter is your Gotcha Day!

Prayer: Father, I want to celebrate Easter the way you do, remembering the high price you paid to adopt me. I want every Easter to remind me how much it cost to make me your child. Thank you that we have a Gotcha Day. In Jesus name, Amen.