Historians disagree over the origins of April Fools’ Day. A search of the Internet (the source of all knowledge) reveals various explanations about the holiday. Regardless, April 1 traditionally marks a day for pranks, monkeyshines, shenanigans, and high jinks.

For the first time since 1956, Easter Sunday fell on April Fools’ Day this year. Many remarked on the concurrence. Preachers made bad jokes concerning the coincidence before preaching about the Resurrection.

However, Easter and April Fools’ share more in common than one might first imagine.

Jesus of Nazareth was crucified, dead, and buried. At the cross, sin seemed to win. At the tomb, death appeared to reign.

Three days later some women visited Jesus’ grave to anoint his mangled body. In the garden, the women encountered angelic figures who proclaimed the news that continues to echo in our ears today: Why do you seek the living among the dead? Jesus is not here—he is risen, just as he said!

April Fool! Sin’s power is broken.

April Fool! Death’s reign is overthrown.

April Fool! On the third day, Christ arose from the dead.

In 1 Corinthians 4:10, Paul wrote: We are fools for Christ!

Happy Easter AND April Fools’ Day. Christ is risen, indeed!