This Holy Week I was thinking a lot about Easter. Our world has changed so much in the last few years. A couple of years ago, this country was in a lock down and all Easter events were canceled by our government. We have gone from no events to almost back to where we were before the covid pandemic.
What does Easter mean to you? As a kid, I remember looking forward to some new clothes and the Easter basket full of treats. On Easter Day we all got fancied up in our new clothes and went to church. We learn the biblical Easter story. How Christ died, was buried, and rose from the grave. Upon getting home after Church, we would find our Easter Baskets full of goodies. The house was full of family, and the smell of the food cooking was incredible. After we ate there was an Easter egg hunt… Wow, Easter was a really great time for our family!
Over the years things changed… It seems the worldly things like Easter eggs and the Easter bunny are more important than going to church and the story of the resurrection. Please don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with an Easter egg hunt etc., but we need to celebrate and teach the real meaning of Easter to our children.
So, what is the real meaning of Easter? Let’s take a moment and look at the real reason we celebrate Easter. Over 2000 years ago, an innocent Godly Man named Jesus was put on trial by Jewish leaders, on the charges of blasphemy (claiming to be God’s Son). After being found guilty by the Church, Jesus was sent to the Roman government as a danger to Rome. The crowds of people demand He be crucified (put to death on the cross).
Jesus was then whipped, beaten, and mocked. Then He was led to a place called Calvary and there He was crucified along with two criminals. Luke 23:32-34 reads “There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” This innocent man, the Son of God, who never sinned, was a perfect sacrifice for us. He took our sins upon him and died for them, so we don’t have too. Yes, Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, enabling us to have a eternal life with God.
They buried Jesus in a tomb on Friday. A large heavy stone sealed the entrants of the grave. Because of the Jewish Sabbath on Saturday, they waited until Sunday to anoint the body of Jesus with burial spices. But Jesus was not in the tomb. Luke 24:1-3 says “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus”
They were trying to figure out what was going on when two angels appeared. In Luke 24:4 “And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.” These Angels asked them in Luke 24:5-7 “Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.“
Jesus arose from the grave and now is alive. Jesus died for our sins so we don’t have to. Jesus defeated death so we do not have to died eternally. God loves us so much… He sent His Son to take our place on the cross. In 1 John 4:10 tells us, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Yes my friends, the way we celebrate Easter has forever been changed. But stand assured the reason we celebrate Easter has not changed or will ever change.
Here’s my question to you… Are you celebrating the Easter Bunny or the cross? Let’s take a moment and look at ourselves. Being honest with ourselves, Do we need a little more of Christ in our life’s? Take the time right now, and ask God to rid you of the world’s distractions, and fill you with the blessings from God. Maybe you don’t know Jesus personally. To get a personal relationship with Jesus… all you have to do is ask Jesus to forgive your sins and come into your life. It’s just that simple, and It doesn’t cost a thing. In 1 John 1:9 it says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Let us celebrate the real meaning of Easter with thanks and praises to God!
May God bless you this Easter!
I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observation. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place that we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com or the form below.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
