by Lil Tuttle

He endured persecution. He endured the cross.  He endured the burial tomb. This Sunday, Christians around the globe celebrate Easter, their faith and their Savior.

For many, it is not easy.  “Nearly 90,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2016,” according to a study by the Center for Studies on New Religions, and “as many as 600 million were prevented from practicing their faith through intimidation, forced conversions, bodily harm or even death.”

The daily lives of these persecuted Christians parallel the early apostles’ experiences, captured so beautifully in Don Francisco’s Resurrection song, He’s Alive, which holds the record for the longest-running chart single in the history of Christian radio.

For all Christians, especially those persecuted, Easter is a joyous celebration that he lives. And he loves.