During the Easter holiday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which took place three days after his death. His resurrection is significant for Christians because it symbolizes Christ's final defeat of sin and death, thus providing believers with the hope of heaven.
Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, which includes Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, the day which Christians reflect on Christ's humility and crucifixion.
Although Easter is a Christian holiday which has been celebrated since 2nd century, the name "Easter" has its roots in ancient polytheistic religions. Thus, many Christians prefer to use the term "Resurrection Sunday" when referring to the annual Christian remembrance of Christ's resurrection. Oftentimes, people celebrate Easter in a variety of ways, including egg hunts, candy, egg decorating, and by attending sunrise services and parades.
While you celebrate the Easter this year and enjoy time with friends and family, take a moment to reflect on the verses below, and praise God that through the resurrection of His son, believers celebrate the promise of eternal life.
Eternal life can only be found in the finished work of Jesus Christ
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe in this?" John 11:25-26
God loved humanity so much, He sacrificed His son so we could have the promise of heaven:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Christ took upon Himself the judgement and condemnation we deserved:
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isa 53:4-5
Christ calls His followers to mimic His humility and sacrificial love
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and become obedient to death --- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Php 2: 5-11
Because of Christ's sacrifice, believers do not need to fear the pain of death:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Co 15:55-57
Through His death on the cross, Christ completely defeated satan and hell:
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6:8-11
Those who believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior have received the promise of Heaven:
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
Now resurrected, Christ reigns in glory:
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6
Because Jesus continues to intercede for His people, we do not need to fear judgement:
"Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died---more than that, who was raised to life-- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:34
Because of Christ's death and resurrection, believers can live in hope and joy, knowing we will someday see our Savior:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 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
