People the world over celebrate Easter for different reasons. Some see it as a welcoming the coming of spring. For others, it is a holiday and therefore a time for people to gather for food, friendship, and festivities. For Christians, it is a significant day that commemorates and celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and the new life we have in Him.
Celebrating Easter really begins before the designated day. It starts with Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, presenting Himself as the long-promised Messiah. This week before Easter is also known as the Passion Week. Good Friday is the Friday just before Easter Sunday. This day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Christ on the cross.
The scriptures declare Jesus’ crucifixion and death is very significant, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Ro. 5:8). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” (1 Pe. 3:18).
This brings us to Easter. Not only is Jesus’ death on the cross to pay for our sins important but so is His resurrection. With Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus proclaims victory over sin and death. He was crucified, buried, and then He rose back to life. Among other things, Jesus’ resurrection proves He is who He says He is, and proves that He accomplished what He came to earth to do. Because He rose from the grave we can trust in His sacrifice for our sins and have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. And most importantly, His resurrection demonstrates that His promise to one day resurrect us will come true. “…because I live, you will live also.” (Jn. 14:19).
Today, it is very important that the world grasp the significance of the events before and during Easter. The world chooses to hide the significance of Christ’s resurrection behind a curtain of commercialization. Let’s go back to the original event that Easter is meant to celebrate and commemorate – Jesus’ death, burial, & resurrection.
And, if you have not yet put your faith and trust in Christ as your personal Savior from the eternal consequences of sin, do so now. In Him, you can have victory of sin and death, too.
Pastor Arnold