Easter: just another cute holiday with eggs, bunnies, candy, and good food. This may be what you think at first when someone says “Easter”, but is this really what Easter is about? Not at all. Bunnies and eggs are cute additions to this beautiful holiday, but aren’t the real meaning of Easter.
Easter starts 2,000 years ago with the birth of a baby. No, I’m not confusing my holidays. We celebrate this baby’s birth at Christmas time, but Easter is when we celebrate this child’s purpose fulfilled. Jesus was born to a virgin, Mary (yes, a virgin…isn’t that amazing??), and her husband Joseph. He is God’s son sent to earth to fulfill one purpose: and that’s where we land now. At about 30 years old, Jesus had already taught in the temple and synagogues (the Jewish places of worship), and had performed countless miracles (Matt. 17:14-23, Mark 7:31-37, Luke 5:17-26). He had many followers whom he loved, and they loved him back. Several of the Jewish leaders did not like this. They claimed he taught and spoke blasphemously against God, when in fact it was they who taught and spoke wrong. The Sanhedrin, or Jewish high priests, voted to put Jesus to death on a cross. Jesus knew this would happen and warned his disciples of it many times (Matt. 20:17-19, Matt. 16:21-28). He was arrested, put in prison, beaten, and finally, on what we call Good Friday, hung on a cross. Nails were driven into his hands feet and a crown of thorns was pressed on his head. Jesus was mocked and humiliated. The Sanhedrin thought they had won, but three days later Mary Magdalene and Mary mother of Jesus went to Jesus’ tomb and found the great stone rolled away and his body gone. An angel appeared to them and asked why they were looking for the living among the dead-Jesus was alive! He had risen, beaten death, and accomplished the most beautiful thing of all. He forgave our sins. Before Christ, Jewish people had to atone for their sin by sacrificing specific animals on specific days. You can can imagine that got messy and hard pretty quickly, right? Jesus offered himself as a living sacrifice so we don’t have to sacrifice animals anymore. We all sin, and we all need forgiveness (Romans 3:23). Christ offered salvation through his sacrifice to us for free. It’s the best gift anyone could ever receive, and it doesn’t cost a dime! Jesus’ gift is a package deal too (but wait, there’s more!): he offers salvation, forgiveness, eternal life in heaven with him, and his perfect love. That means no more guilt, no more shame, no more burdens, and finally, no more fear. All you have to do is ask. Happy Easter!
Graced 