Easter, for many, signals the warmth of springtime, baby birds chirping loudly in the trees, flowers blooming, Sunday brunch, marshmallow chicks, and family egg hunts with Easter baskets left by the Bunny. All joyful fun!
Our small group leader called Easter “The Super Bowl of the Christian Faith.” I like that since I love Super Bowl Sunday, and Easter is my favorite celebration of the year!
I love Christmas too, celebrating the birth of Jesus, but Easter is a beautiful celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the core reason for faith in Jesus Christ.
Beginning the weekend with “Good Friday,” the day reverently remembered for Jesus’ death on the cross. Innocent as he was, Jesus endured a mock trial, was found not guilty of any wrongdoing, then beaten to an inch of his life anyway. He then staggered up a hill to get nailed to a wooden cross, where he chose to give his life up.
I have never understood why it is called “Good Friday” because it is anything but good to me. It was gruesome and horrific, heart-wrenching and cruel. If you’ve seen The Passion of the Christ movie, you know how difficult it is to watch, let alone read about it in one of the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Jesus told his disciples (those who were learning from Jesus), that he would die, be buried, then rise again on the third day. They could only understand what he was talking about once it happened.
He is risen! At an Easter service, you may hear this statement: “He is risen.” With the response, “He is risen indeed!” He walked out of the tomb where his body was laid, and, although still scarred, was fully alive and well.
Both fully God and fully man, Jesus was the Son of God who came here with a mission to walk this earth and teach about the kingdom of Heaven, love, grace, and healing. His ultimate mission, however, was to be the sacrifice for all people, his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. He came to earth to seek and save the lost, all who sin, falling short of the glory of God. (Which is you, me, and everyone that has been born on this earth)
Jesus came to wipe our slate clean. He died to make our lives new, transformed, and saved for eternity in Heaven. He bridges the gap between a perfect God and the ugly sin that permeates our world.
Easter Sunday is a high-energy, exciting celebration of new life in Jesus! Churches worldwide celebrate with rejoicing, singing, and thanking Jesus for his victory over sin and death.
He invites us to become heirs with him in the kingdom of Heaven, where everything will be restored. There will be no more disease, crime, hunger, crying, broken relationships, anger, frustrations, sadness, or death. (I will be blogging about what to look forward to in Heaven this month!)
The fantastic thing is that it’s not about us! We can’t become so good and have it all together to become right with God. On the flip side, we can’t be so bad that Jesus isn’t able to save us. I need that reassurance because although I try to live rightly, I repent (turn away from my shortcomings) and ask for forgiveness, I still sin every day with a wrong thought, judging others, being selfish, and the list goes on.
Sometimes I think Jesus will get tired of me falling short and doing things I know don’t bring him honor or glory. How many times have we corrected our kids to have them misbehave again or in a new way!?
Falling short is rough for a girl who used to be a perfectionist. I feel like God’s kid who wants to do what is right but hasn’t perfected the righteous and perfect life. It still makes me crazy that I can’t live this side of Heaven without sin. Can you relate?
But isn’t that the whole reason Jesus came here as Emanuel, “God with us,” to do what we couldn’t do ourselves?
Jesus warned his disciples on the night he was betrayed, “Keep watch and pray so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” I wish this weren’t so, but it is the truth.
John 3:16 is arguably the most known or famous verse in the Bible, but the one that follows is hope-filled and incredible. John 3:16-17 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (NLT).
May you feel renewed and excited for the magnificent gift of new life in Jesus this Easter. The confident hope that this world is not all there is, but a restored heaven and earth are coming, where we will enjoy life as God intended.
Happy Easter! He is risen!
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This is so great Leann. The focus of “God with us”. Jesus did just that, he made it possible for us to be in a relationship, even in the presence of God. Thank you. I am so glad you are writing again 🙂
Happy Easter, Cheri! Amen to Jesus making a way for us to have relationship with Him. What a privilege & joy!
Leann I also am so grateful you are writing again. God is definitely using you to give Truth, Hope, and Peace by your inspiring blogs. Bless you, Arleen
Thank you, Arleen! I appreciate you reading them. God is good. Hope you are doing well & have a wonderful Easter celebration! 🙂
He is risen indeed!
This was a simple (in that it was easy to read and understand) and beautiful telling of the Easter story. I agree with you, I love Christmas, but Easter is (or should be) the most meaningful and special holiday in a Christian’s life. This one day defines us and is what separates us from non-believers.
I love that you added John 3:17. Why isn’t that verse spoken more often?!
As always, I love reading your words. Thank you for sharing them with us.
I will miss you all this Easter!
AMEN, Sister! 🙂 I will miss you this Easter too, but hope it is a wonderful celebration! Thank you for your encouragement and for reading. Hugs 🙂
He is risen indeed!
I loved reading your Easter blog and everything was explained so perfectly. I am going to share this with a newer Christian.
I agree, I don’t understand why they call it Good Friday because it is such a sad and solemn day to think about what He endured on the cross. Nothing good about that. It should be called Good Sunday instead!
I love this holiday because it reconnects me in such a deep way with Jesus in knowing all he did to sacrifice for our sins.
Looking so forward to spending Easter together!!!
xoxo
“Good Sunday” 🙂 I love that! Thank you for sharing this post with a new Christian. It is my prayer that these posts are shared with others who could truth & grace. Especially at Easter. Can’t wait to celebrate with you this weekend!