As with many holidays, The Feast of Easter and its celebration include many traditions, decorations, and fun events that have little or nothing to do with the true meaning of the core of the holiday. Coloring Easter eggs, candy, and big family dinners are fun to do, but the real meaning behind Easter is not found in any of those things.
Easter is about Jesus Christ and his victory over death and the grave. His resurrection points to the eternal life granted to all who, by grace, believe in Him. The meaning of Easter also implies the complete verification of all that Jesus claimed to be—God in the Flesh. Without the resurrection, He would have been no more than a teacher or rabbi. Perhaps even a madman or deceiver.
His resurrection changed all that. It gave irrefutable evidence that He was who He claimed to be and that He had conquered death and the grave once and for all.
It might seem odd to some that we celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. Why would we do that?
It is far more than honoring the death of, say, a soldier who died for our country. Christianity celebrates the death of Jesus Christ because He died on our behalf. He gave His life so that we could have life.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3
Each of us has a real problem. The Bible calls it sin. Sin has to do with everything we do that goes against God’s will, and more importantly, why we do it. We do things we shouldn’t do (lying, lusting, or swearing). We even sin by not doing things we know we should do (Matthew 5:28; James 4:17).
God’s message to the world is simple:
I love you and want you to return to Me.
Acknowledge that you are a sinner and need to be saved.
Repent (return) and believe the Gospel.
Paul put it this way: “If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9).
Here are a few things about Easter that might interest you:
Eggs have been seen as a symbol of fertility, and springtime announces new life and rebirth.
We spend $1.9 billion on Easter candy in our country. Second only to the biggest candy holiday of Halloween.
Over 70% of those billions are spent on chocolate.
Egg dyes used to be made out of natural items such as bark, onion peels, flower petals, and juices.
Easter always takes place on a Sunday, after the 40 days called Lent. Lent is typically used as a time of prayer and fasting. Participants often focus on giving up one significant indulgence.
Holy Week is celebrated during the week leading up to Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday, continues on to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then finally, Easter Sunday.
May you know the joy that comes from the true center of Easter. May you know Jesus and all that he has done for you. I hope this year is special for you because of that restored and renewed relationship with God.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).