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Easter has always been a highlight of the year for me. Set in Spring, it is indeed a time of renewal, a time of new birth and new life, and a time to celebrate the wondrous love of God. He gave His only son so that we all might live.

Truly, we are blessed to have a Savior. His name is Jesus. He was tortured, crucified, and placed in a borrowed tomb. Those who killed Him thought that was the end of Him. But on the third day, He arose – and He lives to this day in the hearts of all who believe in Him.

If ever we needed Jesus, we need Him now. To observe what is taking place in our country and in other parts of the world, we would think that the love of the Father is far from us. Division, hate, even war, dominate the headlines. Yet I know that God’s love is ever with us. A noisy world tries desperately to drown Him out. It’s the story of time – evil desperate to silence good. But our God can’t be silenced. His voice of love rings through the ages and continues to be the greatest force, able to turn a lion into a lamb with one touch.

It is amazing to me how the simplest act of love can overcome the vilest act of hate. We see this in the story of Jesus who, on the cross between two thieves, in the throws of death, asked the Father to forgive those who had crucified Him, “for they know not what they do.” When one of the thieves beside Him begged His forgiveness, Jesus granted it, promising him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

When conveying a message, I often turn to songs and lyrics. I guess this comes from my love of music and the fact that I have for years enjoyed singing for others. I truly believe music is the universal language of love. On a spring day, many years ago, I along with the other graduating sixth graders at Jackson’s Boyd Elementary School, sang a special song at our commencement program. Burt Bacharach’s lyrics continue to live in my memory to this day, just as relevant now as they were then: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. No, not just for some, but for everyone.”

Indeed – what the world needs now is love, God’s love. Truly it’s the answer – for everyone.

This Easter, my prayer is that God’s love will transform the world around us and set us free – that His love will conquer hate, bring peace, and make us one with Him – in our homes and within our community. All it takes is a willing soul, willing to trust in God’s love.

Happy Easter. May God bless you and yours with His love, now and always.

Dan Gibson is mayor of Natchez.