Is there a day more filled with joy than Easter? It is recognized in countries across the world. For some, festivities center on welcoming the spring season. For others, it is a cultural holiday spent enjoying good food with friends. For Christians, however, it is a day spent honoring and thanking God for giving the ultimate gift–His Son, Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for our sins.
Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (KJV). As humans, we are all born with a sinful nature that separates us from God (Romans 5:12). But 2,000 years ago, Jesus came to Earth as a baby and lived a perfect human life without sin. He did this willingly so that one day, He could give His life as the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sin.
In the days leading up to Easter, Christians remember the events that unfolded before Jesus’ death on the cross. On Good Friday, two days before Easter, believers reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion where God demonstrated His “love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 ESV). Then, on Easter Sunday, Christians all over the world celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead proclaiming final victory over sin and death.
This event changed the world and gave each of us a choice to have our sins forgiven by believing in Jesus–or not. After Martha’s brother, Lazarus, died, Jesus told Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26 NIV).
Jesus did eventually raise Lazarus’ physical body from the dead as a demonstration of His power over death. However, in this exchange with Martha, He was referring to much more–life in right relationship with God for all of eternity.
The question Jesus asked Martha, He also asks each one of us: “Do you believe?” It is only through believing in Him that we, too, can experience eternal life with God. Forgiveness of sin and eternal life is not something we can earn. It is a gift freely given by Jesus to anyone who places their trust in Him (Romans 6:23). What a glorious truth worth celebrating!
Spend Easter rejoicing in Jesus’ victory over death and the new life He gives to those who believe in Him. It is a perfect time to prepare a meal and gather with your family and friends around a beautiful table.
Easter morning is usually busy as everyone gets ready for church and finishing touches are made for the forthcoming brunch or dinner. With good planning, shared duties and make-ahead recipes, you can enjoy worship time that morning and continue the time of reflection, throughout the day. Let every moment remind us that in “His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV).
